Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW 135?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 BMW 135?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 BMW 135?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 BMW 135 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 BMW 135 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 220 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 135 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 BMW 135?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 BMW 135 are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (58.3% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53.3% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (53.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 BMW 135?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 135 (2009)

220 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.1% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 135

CarHunch analysed 220 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 135. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 BMW 135 passes its MOT at 85.1%, which is a solid 5 percentage points above the UK average, but the troubling figure here is that 30% of these cars have had a dangerous defect recorded—well above the typical threshold and a genuine buyer concern. This is a sports car that demands respect; the high proportion of serious faults suggests these vehicles are either being driven hard or neglected in critical areas.

At under 60,000 miles on the clock, these cars are relatively low-mileage examples, yet they still average 2.19 failures per test and rack up 11.1 advisories, indicating that age and component wear matter as much as miles here. Before committing to one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically examines the cooling system, brakes, and suspension—the typical failure hotspots on turbocharged BMWs of this era.

We have limited data for the 2009 BMW 135 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

85.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

30%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.19

Over 13.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

58k

Middle half: 45k–72k

For context

These stats describe 220 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 220 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 58.3%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · …

Tyre wear 53.3%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 42.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 220 BMW 135 cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 135

Based on MOT data from 220 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	219	85.1%	2.19

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,559 BMW 135 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 30.4%

474

White 21.9%

341

Blue 15.5%

242

Grey 14%

218

Silver 8.6%

134

Red 6%

Orange 3.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 135 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

58,362

typical

45,360

low mileage

72,320

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 135 vehicles fall between 45,360 and 72,320 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 45,360 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 45,360–72,320 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 135s sit.

⚠ Over 97,632 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 BMW 135 — Still on the Road

Most 2009 BMW 135s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 147 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.19

Avg failures per vehicle

11.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 135: All 135 years → Which year to buy? →

2008 2010 2011 2012 2013

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 BMW 135 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing