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BMW Gs Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free BMW Gs car check

Is the BMW Gs reliable? We analysed 2,054 real MOT tests across 181 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,054 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
91.4%
Typical Mileage
29,043mi
Annual Mileage
1,578mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The BMW Gs is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW Gs.

BMW Gs Number Plates

Number plates registered to a BMW Gs. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

BMW Gs MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a BMW Gs to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.6%
2012
90.1%
2011
94.9%
2010
94.2%
2009
90.7%
2008
95.8%
2007
95.3%
2006
91.9%
2005
93.6%
2004
89.5%
2003
92.2%
2002
86.5%
2001
87.8%
2000
87.3%
1995
86%
1994

BMW Gs Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a BMW Gs fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 10
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 7
Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released 6
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 6
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 4

BMW Gs Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on BMW Gs models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 4

BMW Gs Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical BMW Gs owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
522 mi/yr
Typical
1,578 mi/yr
Average
2,582 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,373 mi/yr

BMW Gs MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW Gs year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 61 83.6% 10,238 25,337 38,546
2011 161 90.1% 12,211 15,570 25,388
2010 98 94.9% 12,468 22,258 36,537
2009 173 94.2% 7,586 13,174 27,991
2008 259 90.7% 16,553 23,341 33,799
2007 142 95.8% 16,035 29,031 44,650
2006 149 95.3% 18,221 30,132 52,049
2005 148 91.9% 18,885 30,538 45,126
2004 141 93.6% 18,521 31,178 45,013
2003 210 89.5% 21,328 33,182 47,428
2002 102 92.2% 19,210 22,638 36,774
2001 104 86.5% 29,282 38,796 46,372
2000 82 87.8% 34,964 47,044 60,310
1995 71 87.3% 54,916 71,710 126,401
1994 86 86.0% 48,285 62,734 71,706

How Long Does a BMW Gs Last?

Based on 181 BMW Gs vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.6 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

BMW Gs Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all BMW Gs MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
29,043 mi
75th Percentile
46,982 mi
95th Percentile
76,350 mi
Max Recorded
859,525 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used BMW Gs

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2007

95.8% MOT pass rate from 142 tests

Year to avoid
2012

83.6% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

The best year to buy a used BMW Gs is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.8% across 142 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 83.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the BMW Gs Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
BMW Gs THIS CAR 91.4% 2,054 29,043 mi 32 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
Ford Transit 410 Trend Ecoblue 89% 836 18,279 mi — yrs

Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW Gs outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used BMW Gs?

The BMW Gs has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.4% across 2,054 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 Gs are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (10 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (7), and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released (6). 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 is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW Gs 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 Gs owner drives around 1,578 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 Gs models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.

BMW Gs — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW Gs reliable?
Based on 2,054 MOT tests, the BMW Gs has a 91.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a BMW Gs?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and stop lamp remains on when the brake is released. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a BMW Gs do per year?
The typical BMW Gs does around 1,578 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a BMW Gs last?
Most BMW Gs models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 181 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a BMW Gs?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a BMW Gs?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used BMW Gs is 2007 with a 95.8% pass rate across 142 tests.