Does the BMW 8 Series fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The BMW 8 Series records 6.78 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 11.67 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−4.89, 95% interval −5.42 to −4.37). It ranks 522 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a BMW 8 Series by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW 8 Series is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 335 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 335 | 2.08 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 152 | 0.94 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 98 | 0.61 |
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 89 | 0.55 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 71 | 0.44 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 16,114 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
BMW 8 Series 2018 · BMW 8 Series 2019 · BMW 8 Series 2020 · BMW 8 Series by postcode area · BMW 8 Series body, chassis and structure failures · BMW 8 Series brakes failures · BMW 8 Series vehicle identification failures · BMW 8 Series noise, emissions and leaks failures · BMW 8 Series road wheels failures · BMW 8 Series seat belts and airbags failures · BMW 8 Series steering failures · BMW 8 Series suspension failures · BMW 8 Series tyres failures · BMW 8 Series visibility failures