2014 BMW 225d: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW 225d first registered in 2014: we looked at the 407 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 407 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 BMW 225d?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 BMW 225d than on all cars registered in 2014.
- Shock absorbers3.2× usualBMW 225d16.2% All 2014 cars5.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 1.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Common 2014 BMW 225d MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2014 BMW 225d MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Suspension23% 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.
- Brakes17% 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 electrics7% 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 mirrors6% 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 leaks5% 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.
Known faults on the 2014 BMW 225d
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Diesel
Blocked particulate filter (diesel)
Diesels mostly used for short trips can block their particulate filter.
At the viewing: Ask how the car was used, and watch for a DPF warning.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability
- All engines
Trim and electrical faults
Interior trim was the most common complaint in What Car?'s survey, then electrics and infotainment. On the Active Tourer the boot floor panel can come loose and its plastic flaps break.
At the viewing: Check the boot floor and test the screen and electrics.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 BMW 225d
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2014 BMW 225d as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW 225d?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW 225d compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 291 | Tyres 23% |
| 2017 | 485 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 546 | Tyres 25% |
| 2015 | 624 | Tyres 27% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 225d cars first registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score