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BMW 8 Series reliability by build year

Coverage 2018-present1 named generationCoupePETROL / DIESEL / UNKNOWN
At a glance

BMW 8 Series built around 2021: more fails still not passed 3 days later

BMW 8 Series models built around 2021 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a BMW 8 Series by number plate

Key figure

3.5% of MOT tests on BMW 8 Series models built around 2021 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.1%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 8 Series models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW 8 Series's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Drivetrain

Worth checking

Inspect the drivetrain carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 8 Series's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

8 Series G14/G15/G16

G14/G15/G16 (2018-present)

Average
DIESELPETROLUNKNOWN

13.1% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 1,751 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

19.1% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 16.7% and 21.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 918 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW 8 Series.

See every build year for the BMW 8 Series

Side-by-side

BMW 8 Series generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G14/G15/G16 (2018-present)
Average
Average13.1%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 1,751 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating19.1%likely between 16.7% and 21.7%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 918 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 8 Series, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW 8 Series fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW 8 Series ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,31712.2%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,90812.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,75113.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,02113.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5812.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
91819.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 4-year-old BMW 8 Series models

These issues come from 4-year-old BMW 8 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.0%
    Advisory: 157Fail: 188 (54% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    10.5%
    Advisory: 355Fail: 25 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.8%
    Advisory: 93Fail: 55 (37% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    2.5%
    Advisory: 61Fail: 3 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Prop shaft coupling slightly deteriorated

    2.3%
    Advisory: 45Fail: 3 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,050 MOT tests on 4-year-old BMW 8 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 4-year-old BMW 8 Series models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Other + Tyres42%
  2. Brakes + Tyres34%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers14%
  4. Brakes + Other7%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 122 MOT tests on BMW 8 Series cars built around 2021 (4 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the BMW 8 Series.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

5 of the 12 BMW 8 Series recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Undetected EGR system leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
  • The integrated brake system hydraulic unit may have been produced incorrectly
  • The cable lengths for the electric connection of the hall sensor inside the seatbelt buckle could be too short

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    3.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    0.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 3.2%, against 12.7% for the BMW 8 Series, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,766 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 7.7%, against 12.7% for the BMW 8 Series, both built around 2021.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,024 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.3%, against 12.7% for the BMW 8 Series, both built around 2021.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,270 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.7%, against 8.0% for the BMW 8 Series.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,192 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the BMW 8 Series across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 2,050 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW 8 Series ever sold: 7,245 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2021 (4 years old): 2,050 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.