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BMW M2 F87 (2016-2021) reliability

At a glance

BMW M2 F87 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW M2 F87 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a BMW M2 F87?

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

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on BMW M2 F87 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 13% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW M2 F87 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

BMW M2 F87
excellent reliability2016-2021CoupePETROL

Based on 4,273 tests of M2 models registered 2016-2021.

About 1 in 25 M2 F87 MOTs (4.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,745 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 30 M2 F87 MOTs (3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 1,745 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

F87 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
14010.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
26610.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
61910.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,74510.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,19410.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
30910.4%

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 5 years old.

How the M2 F87 compares

At each age below, see how the M2 F87 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 156,618 tests across 18 BMW models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
14010.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
26610.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
61910.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,74510.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,19410.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
30910.4%

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.

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.

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.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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 M2 F87.

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 10.8% for the BMW M2 F87, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 10.8% for the BMW M2 F87, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 10.8% for the BMW M2 F87, both built around 2018.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.8%, against 4.2% for the BMW M2 F87.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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

29 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the BMW 2 Series, the model this one is based on.

17 of the 29 M2 F87 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 11 more

Top concerns

  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is
  • The driver's air bag fabric could be damaged by the air bag cover during deployment

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

What has gone wrong on M2 F87 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 109 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
16%
Emissions
5%

Wear items

Tyres
20%
Lighting
5%
How M2 F87 cars have aged

How M2 F87 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.

0%10%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (147 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 6.8% (133 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (136 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.4% (214 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (192 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (182 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (179 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.4% (1,405 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (1,251 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (1,204 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (1,173 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (1,135 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (874 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (832 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (784 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (738 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (732 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (423 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (397 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.4% (357 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (316 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.4% (309 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018First registered around 2017
F87 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW M2 models of this age

This list covers every BMW M2 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the F87 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

    14.2%
    Advisory: 427Fail: 21 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.1%
    Advisory: 83Fail: 44 (35% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    4.0%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 72 (77% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.6%
    Advisory: 113Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    2.9%
    Advisory: 67Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,745 tests

Looking at a BMW M2 F87?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW M2 F87 (2016-2021) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,745 7-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 4,273 MOT tests on BMW M2 models first registered between 2016-2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.