BMW 2002 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW 2002 car check
Is the BMW 2002 reliable? We analysed 6,699 real MOT tests across 942 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW 2002? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW 2002 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW 2002.
BMW 2002 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW 2002. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW 2002 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW 2002 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW 2002 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW 2002 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW 2002 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW 2002 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW 2002 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW 2002 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 169 | 69.8% | 22,490 | 42,750 | 59,538 |
| 1975 | 1,185 | 73.9% | 21,639 | 42,917 | 71,992 |
| 1974 | 948 | 75.1% | 22,108 | 50,546 | 72,822 |
| 1973 | 1,860 | 75.7% | 23,634 | 50,413 | 72,573 |
| 1972 | 1,057 | 75.4% | 26,610 | 51,602 | 78,903 |
| 1971 | 679 | 69.7% | 22,646 | 57,498 | 79,748 |
| 1970 | 198 | 78.3% | 29,317 | 65,450 | 89,126 |
How Long Does a BMW 2002 Last?
Based on 942 BMW 2002 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW 2002 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW 2002 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW 2002
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.3% MOT pass rate from 198 tests
69.7% MOT pass rate from 679 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW 2002 is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.3% across 198 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW 2002 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 2002 THIS CAR | 74.7% | 6,699 | 49,161 mi | 56 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Land Rover 101 | 78.1% | 2,888 | 43,263 mi | 50 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW 2002 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW 2002 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW 2002Should you buy a used BMW 2002?
The BMW 2002 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.7% across 6,699 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the BMW 2002 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (309 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (286), and brake binding (272). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical BMW 2002 owner drives around 411 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW 2002 models stay on UK roads for around 56 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.