BMW
F Series
5,116 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where F Seriess pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 10.4 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
87.9%
Pass-after-fix
4.0%
Fail
7.9%
Avg miles
28,961
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
F Series: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 4,075 MOT tests, the F Series returns 88.3% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Brake pads worn below 1.0 mm and tyre tread under the limit round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 28,324, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 26–44
Above average — worth comparing quotes before buying. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
26–44
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
71 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 02
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
36 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
27 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 04
Steering head bearings excessively stiff, notchy, or with excessive wear or play
26 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
19 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
Audible warning not working
18 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
A brake lining or pad contaminated with oil, grease etc
15 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 08
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
14 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
A stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released
14 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
13 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£240–£525
If every one of this F Series's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 03 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
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Summit ADRG-904 BMW Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£10.99
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-905 BMW Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£10.99
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Draper Expert
Draper Expert Oil Filter Socket for Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and VW
£18.69
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Buying or keeping a F Series?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a F Series and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.