BMW Alpina Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW Alpina car check
Is the BMW Alpina reliable? We analysed 29,169 real MOT tests across 2,395 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW Alpina? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW Alpina is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW Alpina.
BMW Alpina Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW Alpina. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW Alpina MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW Alpina to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW Alpina Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW Alpina fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW Alpina Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW Alpina models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW Alpina Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW Alpina owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW Alpina MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW Alpina year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | 86.0% | 16,963 | 52,865 | 75,646 |
| 2022 | 78 | 97.4% | 17,439 | 27,052 | 31,652 |
| 2021 | 286 | 88.5% | 21,362 | 31,212 | 40,523 |
| 2020 | 143 | 90.9% | 27,759 | 37,203 | 49,232 |
| 2019 | 306 | 92.8% | 18,487 | 33,370 | 48,545 |
| 2018 | 345 | 88.7% | 21,774 | 31,516 | 45,264 |
| 2017 | 335 | 89.6% | 25,770 | 40,930 | 59,908 |
| 2016 | 514 | 89.5% | 29,223 | 46,192 | 61,288 |
| 2015 | 708 | 87.0% | 32,254 | 50,020 | 75,610 |
| 2014 | 413 | 87.2% | 42,009 | 64,801 | 93,490 |
| 2013 | 241 | 85.5% | 40,419 | 67,994 | 97,095 |
| 2012 | 711 | 88.9% | 46,847 | 75,992 | 98,327 |
| 2011 | 1,216 | 88.3% | 45,227 | 66,162 | 90,583 |
| 2010 | 1,600 | 84.8% | 47,874 | 76,130 | 109,905 |
| 2009 | 1,618 | 82.9% | 52,240 | 82,436 | 112,187 |
| 2008 | 1,897 | 85.0% | 47,394 | 69,504 | 98,910 |
| 2007 | 3,305 | 82.1% | 57,449 | 95,907 | 131,934 |
| 2006 | 1,428 | 84.1% | 61,589 | 93,812 | 128,117 |
| 2005 | 853 | 83.2% | 48,445 | 71,923 | 106,200 |
| 2004 | 1,886 | 82.3% | 40,553 | 63,550 | 87,569 |
How Long Does a BMW Alpina Last?
Based on 2,395 BMW Alpina vehicles on UK roads.
BMW Alpina Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW Alpina 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 Alpina
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
97.4% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
73.2% MOT pass rate from 1,068 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW Alpina is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 97.4% across 78 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW Alpina Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Alpina THIS CAR | 82.0% | 29,169 | 80,289 mi | 31 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 |
| Yamaha Wr | 78.5% | 16,992 | 9,193 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW Alpina outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW Alpina 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 AlpinaShould you buy a used BMW Alpina?
The BMW Alpina has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.0% across 29,169 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the BMW Alpina are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (568 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (270), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (269). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW Alpina with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW Alpina owner drives around 4,292 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 Alpina models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.