Car statistics
How many BMW 8 Series are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 6,736 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 6,418 BMW 8 Series licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,217 declared off the road (SORN). That is 0.6% fewer than the peak of 6,455 in 2025.
The highest year-end count was 6,455 in 2025.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 917 |
| 1995 | 1,354 |
| 1996 | 1,631 |
| 1997 | 1,700 |
| 1998 | 1,993 |
| 1999 | 2,233 |
| 2000 | 2,200 |
| 2001 | 2,149 |
| 2002 | 2,077 |
| 2003 | 2,023 |
| 2004 | 1,973 |
| 2005 | 1,851 |
| 2006 | 1,733 |
| 2007 | 1,600 |
| 2008 | 1,448 |
| 2009 | 1,351 |
| 2010 | 1,258 |
| 2011 | 1,131 |
| 2012 | 1,028 |
| 2013 | 949 |
| 2014 | 909 |
| 2015 | 846 |
| 2016 | 785 |
| 2017 | 747 |
| 2018 | 933 |
| 2019 | 1,641 |
| 2020 | 3,303 |
| 2021 | 4,637 |
| 2022 | 5,500 |
| 2023 | 6,119 |
| 2024 | 6,310 |
| 2025 | 6,455 |
| 2026 | 6,418 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 84.6% of BMW 8 Series MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the BMW 8 Series tested pass 83.8% of the time, so the BMW 8 Series does about as well as average for its age. In 2024 its pass rate was 85.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | BMW 8 Series | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 84.2% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 86.1% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| 20+ years | 78.9% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Tyres is the most common reason a BMW 8 Series fails its MOT, appearing on 60.2% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.3% of BMW 8 Series tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 60.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.6% |
| Visibility | 8.5% |
| Road wheels | 7.9% |
| Brakes | 7.6% |
| Suspension | 6.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a BMW 8 Series failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: ply or cords exposed”, on 19.7% of 1,037 failed tests. 25.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 19.7% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 17.7% |
| Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 16.3% |
| Road wheels: fractured Road wheels | 6.2% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 5.9% |
| Tyres: tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 5.7% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.8% |
| Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.1% |
| Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements Identification of the vehicle | 3.8% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 3.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 10.2% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 3.5% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 3.1% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 2.5% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% |
| Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated Body, chassis, structure | 2.1% |
| Nail in tyre Non-component advisories | 1.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 1.7% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 1.4% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 1.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
4 years of the BMW 8 Series, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2019 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (83.7% passed first time) and the 2022 cars worst (83.7%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 883 | 847 | 83.7% |
| 2020 | 1,745 | 1,548 | 85.7% |
| 2021 | 1,504 | 1,408 | 87.5% |
| 2022 | 1,118 | 1,060 | 83.7% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average BMW 8 Series covers 7,126 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 8,120 |
| 6–7 years | 7,520 |
| 20+ years | 989 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of BMW 8 Series for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 1,755 in 2020. In 2025, 250 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 14 |
| ’02 | 18 |
| ’03 | 7 |
| ’04 | 18 |
| ’05 | 8 |
| ’06 | 7 |
| ’07 | 12 |
| ’08 | 5 |
| ’09 | 7 |
| ’10 | 5 |
| ’11 | 3 |
| ’12 | 3 |
| ’13 | 3 |
| ’14 | 1 |
| ’15 | 2 |
| ’16 | 2 |
| ’17 | 0 |
| ’18 | 216 |
| ’19 | 864 |
| ’20 | 1,755 |
| ’21 | 1,508 |
| ’22 | 1,116 |
| ’23 | 809 |
| ’24 | 370 |
| ’25 | 250 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 6,674 BMW 8 Series licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 93.6% have an engine of 2,901cc to 3,000cc, and 3.3% have an engine of 4,301cc to 4,400cc. The share with an engine of 2,901cc to 3,000cc has grown from 0.0% in 2014 to 93.6%. Petrols made up 99.5% of those licensed in 2014 and 82.0% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 2,901cc to 3,000cc 6,249 licensed | 93.6% |
| 4,301cc to 4,400cc 218 licensed | 3.3% |
| 3,901cc to 4,000cc 121 licensed | 1.8% |
| 4,901cc to 5,000cc 56 licensed | 0.8% |
| 5,501cc to 5,600cc 23 licensed | 0.3% |
| Other sizes 7 licensed | 0.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,901–3,000cc | Petrol | 5,051 | 75.7% |
| 2,901–3,000cc | Diesel | 968 | 14.5% |
| 2,901–3,000cc | Hybrid | 230 | 3.4% |
| 4,301–4,400cc | Petrol | 218 | 3.3% |
| 3,901–4,000cc | Petrol | 121 | 1.8% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 2,901–3,000cc | 4,301–4,400cc | 3,901–4,000cc | 4,901–5,000cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 0.0% | 47.4% | 31.0% | 14.6% |
| 2015 | 0.0% | 47.6% | 30.8% | 14.5% |
| 2016 | 0.0% | 47.5% | 31.4% | 14.1% |
| 2017 | 0.0% | 48.1% | 30.6% | 15.4% |
| 2018 | 22.3% | 37.2% | 23.9% | 11.9% |
| 2019 | 59.5% | 20.5% | 11.5% | 5.7% |
| 2020 | 82.0% | 9.3% | 5.4% | 2.2% |
| 2021 | 87.5% | 6.1% | 3.7% | 1.7% |
| 2022 | 90.5% | 4.7% | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| 2023 | 92.4% | 4.0% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 93.1% | 3.6% | 1.9% | 1.0% |
| 2025 | 93.6% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.8% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 99.5% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 99.7% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 99.6% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 99.6% | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 77.4% | 22.4% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 57.3% | 42.6% | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 69.6% | 30.0% | 0.3% |
| 2021 | 75.3% | 20.9% | 3.9% |
| 2022 | 77.9% | 17.5% | 4.5% |
| 2023 | 80.6% | 15.4% | 4.0% |
| 2024 | 81.6% | 14.8% | 3.6% |
| 2025 | 82.0% | 14.5% | 3.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the BMW 8 Series from 2025, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2025 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 25.6 to 34.0 mpg, with CO2 of 190 to 250 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 petrol | 32.8–34.0 | 190–197 | 2025–2026 | Euro 6 | 5 |
| 4.4 petrol | 25.6–26.9 | 239–250 | 2025–2026 | Euro 6 | 5 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 5 safety recalls for the BMW 8 Series since 1992, the first in 2019. The most recent was launched on 22 August 2022.
All 5 BMW 8 Series recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every BMW 8 Series. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 8 Series | 6,418 | +1.5% | 1,217 | 396 | Petrol |
| BMW 3 Series | 448,681 | −5.0% | 114,735 | 10 | Diesel |
| BMW 1 Series | 392,139 | −0.5% | 23,619 | 15 | Diesel |
| BMW 5 Series | 187,690 | −4.8% | 39,140 | 43 | Diesel |
| BMW 2 Series | 143,101 | +5.3% | 1,616 | 62 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 7,635 8 Series records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 6,736 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
