2020 Bmw M235I Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,853 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Bmw M235I Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.5% in the 60-90k group versus 7.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 202 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.0% | 28 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 21 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.6% | 16 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 98 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 26 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 5 | Wipers | 13 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.9% | 538 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.0% | 285 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 113 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 42 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 10 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,720 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,071 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 62 | 14.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 2023 | 976 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 909 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 930 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2020 M235I Auto
Before buying a 2020 Bmw M235I Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (1.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (0.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Bmw M235I Autos pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 2,853 2020 Bmw M235I Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Bmw M235I Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by brakes (1.0%).
Does the 2020 M235I Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,853 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.