Used car guide

2010 BMW Alpina diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel BMW Alpina first registered in 2010 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 212 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 212 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

212MOTs of 2010 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
80%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%)
8,800typical miles a year
28%had suspension flagged

Common 2010 BMW Alpina diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    28% 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
    23% 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
    22% 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
    19% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    2% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 BMW Alpina diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW Alpina?

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Other years

Every year of the BMW Alpina compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022–Too few tests
2021218Tyres 21%
2020–Too few tests
2019196Tyres 16%
2018165Tyres 18%
2017114Tyres 15%
2016170Tyres 24%
2015181Tyres 23%
2012136Suspension 17%
2011247Tyres 23%
2009257Suspension 32%
2008283Tyres 19%
2007423Brakes 35%
2006210Brakes 26%
2005112Brakes 23%
2004215Brakes 21%
2003152Brakes 27%
2002191Brakes 26%
2001123Brakes 32%
2000172Suspension 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 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score