Used car guide

2010 BMW 123: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 BMW 123s, from 510 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

510MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,900typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 BMW 123s than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    BMW 123
    18.6% All 2010 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.9% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 BMW 123 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a BMW 123?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009688Suspension 45%
2008995Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 BMW 123s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score