What are the most common problems with a 2009 BMW Alpina diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is shock absorbers: flagged on 16.7% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 2009 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2009 BMW Alpina diesel?

Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2009 BMW Alpina diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2009 BMW Alpina diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel BMW Alpina first registered in 2009 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 209 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 209 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

209MOTs of 2009 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

73%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)

8,600typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 BMW Alpina diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 BMW Alpina diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

Shock absorbers2.3× usual

BMW Alpina
16.7% All 2009 cars
7.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 BMW Alpina diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 BMW Alpina diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

35% 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

32% 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

31% 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

14% 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

8% 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

4% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 BMW Alpina diesel

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 2.3× as often on the 2009 BMW Alpina diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW Alpina?

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 Alpina compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	–	Too few tests
2021	218	Tyres 21%
2020	–	Too few tests
2019	196	Tyres 16%
2018	165	Tyres 18%
2017	114	Tyres 15%
2016	170	Tyres 24%
2015	181	Tyres 23%
2012	136	Suspension 17%
2011	247	Tyres 23%
2010	274	Suspension 25%
2008	283	Tyres 19%
2007	423	Brakes 35%
2006	210	Brakes 26%
2005	112	Brakes 23%
2004	215	Brakes 21%
2003	152	Brakes 27%
2002	191	Brakes 26%
2001	123	Brakes 32%
2000	172	Suspension 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 Alpina cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score