BMW 220 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 777 MOT tests from 80 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 220 has the same fault.

BMW 220's have a extremely good reliability rating of 754/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 220 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 220 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	795/999Very good	70,191 miles	693 vehicles
N/A	N/A	770/999Very good	65,784 miles	771 vehicles
N/A	N/A	762/999Very good	74,548 miles	1,497 vehicles
N/A	N/A	742/999Very good	73,258 miles	2,211 vehicles
N/A	N/A	701/999Very good	74,350 miles	1,178 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 220?

Based on 777 MOT tests from 80 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

777

Pass rate

83.1%

Median mileage

83,121 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 220 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 730 out of 999.

Common BMW 220 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 109 advisory comments and 34 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 advisory comments and 5 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 35 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER NOT WORKING (3.5 (A))

BMW 220 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2018	6	41	92.7%	Tyre wear
2017	10	78	89.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	19	185	80.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	30	310	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	12	146	76.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 220

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a BMW 220?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 220s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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