BMW Alpina MOT pass rate and common problems
89.0% of 3,153 BMW Alpina MOT tests pass.
The Alpina has a pass rate of 89.0%, a little higher than the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
The BMW Alpina passes its MOT 89.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW Alpina?
This is the average across every BMW Alpina in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 89.8% at 0–3 years to 87.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.8% | 167 | 25,073 miles |
| 3–6 years | 96.2% | 390 | 35,502 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.2% | 450 | 61,511 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.1% | 614 | 100,920 miles |
| 15+ years | 87.5% | 1,532 | 113,311 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW Alpina
The most common reason the BMW Alpina fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 34.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.9% | Not working |
| Tyres | 34.4% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Suspension | 32.4% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Brakes | 24.7% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Visibility | 15.5% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.1% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.4% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 2.4% | Fractured |
Buying a used BMW Alpina: what to check
These checks follow the BMW Alpina’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the BMW Alpina comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 96.2% to 90.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 88.8% down to 83.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.9% of failed BMW Alpina MOTs. 7.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 34.4% of failed BMW Alpina MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 32.4% of failed BMW Alpina MOTs. 6.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.7% of failed BMW Alpina MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.5% of failed BMW Alpina MOTs. 2.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check BMW service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related BMW models
- BMW M5 — 92.8% pass rate
- BMW i8 — 93.4% pass rate
- BMW iX3 — 89.9% pass rate
- BMW X7 — 90.9% pass rate
- BMW M6 — 92.5% pass rate
- BMW M8 — 97.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW Alpina?
- 89.0% of BMW Alpina MOT tests pass, based on 3,153 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW Alpina?
- The most common reason the BMW Alpina fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 34.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the BMW Alpina?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW Alpina are lights and electrics; tyres; suspension. 7.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW Alpina?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the BMW Alpina's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.