2016 BMW 2 Series (first used 2016) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 79.9% of BMW 2 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 64,029 2 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 2 Series cars first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 BMW 2 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 2 Series cars first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 2 Series figure was 5.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 2 Series | All cars first used 2016 | 2 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.9% | 82.7% | 21,522 |
| 2022 | 84.8% | 80.9% | 21,473 |
| 2023 | 83.0% | 78.6% | 21,375 |
| 2024 | 81.0% | 76.7% | 21,370 |
| 2025 | 79.9% | 74.9% | 21,284 |
Common 2016 BMW 2 Series MOT failures
Share of the 11,963 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.4% | 1,248 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.0% | 1,078 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 7.5% | 900 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 7.5% | 894 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 7.5% | 894 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
What to check on a 2016 BMW 2 Series before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2016 BMW 2 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 2 Series cars, as a share of all 64,029 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.0% | 10,243 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.4% | 5,383 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.6% | 3,592 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.6% | 3,573 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 4.7% | 2,994 |
Questions about the 2016 BMW 2 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 BMW 2 Series?
In 2025, 79.9% of 2 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 2 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 36.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (31.6%) and suspension (18.4%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (10.4%).
How often does a 2016 BMW 2 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 20.1% of first tests on 2 Series cars first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 16.2% failed, and a further 3.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 11,963 of 64,029 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 BMW 2 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.6%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (4.7%).
Is a 2016 BMW 2 Series reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 86.9% in 2021 to 79.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 2 Series?
The numbers above cover every 2 Series first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.