BMW 335 MOT Failures
An analysis of 20,043 real DVSA MOT tests on the BMW 335 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the BMW 335 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the BMW 335 is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel — this model is 33 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 20,043 MOT tests, 1.2% of all BMW 335 tests recorded this as a failure.
Wheel-related failures include cracked alloys, damaged wheel studs, and bearing play. Listen for rumbling at speed (wheel bearings) and check for any visible cracks around alloy spokes.
The failures span 2 categories: Wheels, Tyres. If you're inspecting a BMW 335 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The BMW 335's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the BMW 335 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (30x the average) and tyre seriously damaged (11x).
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the BMW 335 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (16x the average) and tyre seriously damaged (5.5x).
What to check before buying a BMW 335
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a BMW 335:
Wheels — check for any fracture or welding defect on a wheel. Tyres — check for tyre seriously damaged.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific BMW 335?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
BMW 335 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 335?
Based on 20,043 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel — at 33x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include tyre seriously damaged.
Is the BMW 335 reliable based on MOT data?
The BMW 335 has 2 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, tyre seriously damaged.
How do I check a BMW 335's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.