At a Glance
The Bmw 2 Series has 7 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the F22 (2014-2021) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 596K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Bmw 2 Series common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Bmw 2 Series generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Bmw 2 Series Generations
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Most Common Bmw 2 Series MOT Failures
Every reason Bmw 2 Series vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre condition | 26.87% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.77% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 7.25% |
| 4 | Windscreen washer not working | 6.80% |
| 5 | Position lamp not working | 4.65% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.37% |
| 7 | Headlamp fault | 4.03% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.28% |
| 9 | Indicator fault | 3.13% |
| 10 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.83% |
| 11 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.41% |
| 12 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.28% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 1.69% |
| 14 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.66% |
| 15 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 1.58% |
| 16 | Brake performance below minimum | 1.42% |
| 17 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 1.37% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.31% |
| 19 | Seat belt condition | 1.17% |
| 20 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.97% |
| 21 | Track rod end worn | 0.70% |
| 22 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.58% |
| 23 | Horn not working | 0.37% |
| 24 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.36% |
| 25 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.34% |
| 26 | Driveshaft fault | 0.30% |
| 27 | Exhaust system fault | 0.27% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.27% |
| 29 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.24% |
| 30 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 31 | Front lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 32 | Number plate lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 33 | Airbag warning light on | 0.21% |
| 34 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.21% |
| 35 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.19% |
| 36 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.17% |
| 37 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.17% |
| 38 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.16% |
| 39 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.16% |
| 40 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 41 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.15% |
| 42 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.13% |
| 43 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 44 | ABS fault | 0.12% |
| 45 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 46 | Engine oil leak | 0.10% |
| 47 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 48 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 49 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.09% |
| 50 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.08% |
| 51 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.08% |
| 52 | Steering rack fault | 0.07% |
| 53 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.07% |
| 54 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.07% |
| 55 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 56 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 57 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.05% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 59 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.04% |
| 60 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.04% |
| 61 | Passenger seat fault | 0.04% |
| 62 | Rear lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 63 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 64 | Chassis condition | 0.03% |
| 65 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 66 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 67 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 68 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.03% |
| 69 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 70 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | 0.03% |
| 71 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 72 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 73 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 74 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 75 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 76 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 78 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.02% |
| 79 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 80 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 81 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.02% |
| 82 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.02% |
| 83 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 84 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 85 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 87 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.01% |
| 88 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 89 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Brake fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 91 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 92 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 95 | Seat belt or padding damaged | 0.01% |
| 96 | Fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 97 | Parking brake condition | <0.01% |
| 98 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 99 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 100 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 101 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 103 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 105 | Front suspension fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 110 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 112 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 119 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear suspension fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 129 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 133 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 140 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 147 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 155 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 155 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Bmw 2 Series MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Bmw 2 Series, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Bmw 2 Series problems?
Based on analysis of 596K Bmw 2 Series MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 7 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Tyre condition". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Bmw 2 Series generation has the most problems?
The Bmw 2 Series F22 (2014-2021) (2014–2021) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Bmw 2 Series?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Bmw 2 Series owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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