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BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 (2018-present) reliability

At a glance

BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 built around 2020: more fails still not passed 3 days later

BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 models built around 2020 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.

Looking at a BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

3.5% of MOT tests on BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 models built around 2020 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.2%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16
average reliability2018-presentCoupePETROL / DIESEL / UNKNOWN

Based on 6,327 tests of 8 Series models registered 2018+.

About 1 in 6 petrol 8 Series cars registered in 2022 (16.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 937 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 8 Series G14/G15/G16 MOTs (3.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,751 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 8 Series G14/G15/G16 MOTs (8.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 1,751 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

G14/G15/G16 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,44712.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,05012.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,75113.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,02113.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5812.1%

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 6 years old.

How the 8 Series G14/G15/G16 compares

At each age below, see how the 8 Series G14/G15/G16 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 121,757 tests across 19 BMW models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,44712.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
2,05012.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,75113.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,02113.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5812.1%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 8 Series G14/G15/G16.

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    2.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.0%, against 13.1% for the BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16, both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,941 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 8.1%, against 13.1% for the BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16, both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,941 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 13.1% for the BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16, both built around 2020.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,322 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.3%
    Dangerous
    5.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 2.3%, against 3.5% for the BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,525 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

5 of the 12 8 Series G14/G15/G16 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.

What has gone wrong on 8 Series G14/G15/G16 cars built around 2020

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 94 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
1%

Wear items

Tyres
26%
Lighting
2%
Brakes
1%
How 8 Series G14/G15/G16 cars have aged

How 8 Series G14/G15/G16 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (1,413 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (1,219 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (1,457 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (1,250 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (1,144 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (1,039 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (949 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.6% (880 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.0% (829 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (117 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (101 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (81 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (63 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (58 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
G14/G15/G16 variants compared

8 Series G14/G15/G16 variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each 8 Series G14/G15/G16 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • 840I AUTO12.6%1,046 tests
  • 8 SERIES15.4%266 tests

Diesel

  • 8 SERIES13.4%395 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW 8 Series models of this age

This list covers every BMW 8 Series built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the G14/G15/G16 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    14.1%
    Advisory: 379Fail: 15 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.7%
    Advisory: 103Fail: 170 (62% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    5.5%
    Advisory: 64Fail: 52 (45% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.2%
    Advisory: 91Fail: 5 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Prop shaft coupling slightly deteriorated

    2.8%
    Advisory: 42Fail: 7 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,751 tests

Looking at a BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the BMW 8 Series G14/G15/G16 (2018-present) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,751 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 6,327 MOT tests on BMW 8 Series models first registered from 2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.