BMW 8 Series
Registered from 1991 to 2025.
About this model
The BMW 8 Series is a range of grand tourer coupes and convertibles produced by BMW.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 8 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 3.0 petrol. 179 of 1,600 tests failed, 11%.
Better than 19% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 91% | 163 |
| Plates and identity | 6% | 11 |
| Visibility | 2% | 4 |
| Lights and electrics | 2% | 3 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2% | 3 |
| Brakes | 1% | 2 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
- A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 96% of 2020 cars — 91% of its 179 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 55%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 91% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Plates and identity — 6% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 40–60k miles this one fails 16% of its inspections, against the 13% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 9% | 5% | 698 | |
| 20–40k miles | 13% | 10% | 799 | |
| 40–60k miles | 16% | 13% | 89 |
1,586 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.0 petrol · 329 hp · 1946 kg · 2925 mm wheelbase · 8.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 3.0 petrol · 335 hp · 1925 kg · 2945 mm wheelbase · 8.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3.0 diesel · 315 hp · 1955 kg · 2845 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 3.0 diesel · 315 hp · 1905 kg · 2822 mm wheelbase · 7.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00636/20
The cable connecting the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be too short.Consequently, the sensor might detach from the buckle, causing a faulty seatbelt lock recognition, impairing the functioning of the restraint system and the deployment of the airbag, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02466/24
The software-based overload protection function cannot sufficiently prevent the starter being overloaded in the event of repeated long start-up attempts. The starter may overheat or sparks may be produced as a result of an increased current flow. This increases the risk of a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/03823/25
The engine starter’s electrical contacts may overheat and cause the vehicle to start improperly. Continued starting attempts can intensify the overheating and ignite surrounding components, potentially leading to a vehicle fire while driving or shortly after parking. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users