Is the BMW 2 Series ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 114,078 MOT tests, around 89% of BMW 2 Series still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 0% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 11%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 55% petrol, 40% diesel. Every petrol 2 Series in the data (2014 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Every diesel 2 Series in the data (2014 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 89%
- Likely charged
- 0%
- Depends on the car
- 11%
- MOT tests analysed
- 114,078
Check a specific 2 Series
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
2 Series ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 2 Series of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant688 tested | Likely compliant176 tested | Likely compliant21 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant8,886 tested | Likely compliant2,277 tested | Likely compliant569 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant12,917 tested | Likely compliant3,733 tested | Likely compliant1,550 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant12,319 tested | Likely compliant7,467 tested | Likely compliant1,688 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant8,783 tested | Likely compliant8,510 tested | Likely compliant920 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant9,806 tested | Likely compliant11,042 tested | Likely compliant474 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant7,175 tested | Check exact car9,701 tested | – |
| 2014 | Likely compliant2,126 tested | Check exact car3,236 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 2 Series
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (55% of 2 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (40% of 2 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (petrol) (5% of 2 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
2 Series from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (11% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 2 Series fare at the MOT too: see the BMW 2 Series MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW 2 Series for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW 2 Series in this data were first registered between 2014 and 2021. 2018 was the most common year, with 21,474 tests (19% of the total), and half were registered in 2017 or later.
Every 2 Series in the data is from a year likely to comply, so age and condition matter more than ULEZ when choosing one. The newest (2021) passed first time 91% of the time at 22,958 miles on average, and the oldest (2014) passed 78% at 70,838 miles.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 2 Series likely to comply are from 2016. 11,042 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 83% of the time and averaged 55,597 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 2 Series's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were tyres: "has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords" (2.0% of tests) and "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (1.6%); lights and electrics: "not working" (1.4%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 13.9% of tests.
Overall, 85% of 2 Series passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 44,716 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 114,078 first MOT tests of the BMW 2 Series carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 114,078 MOT tests say about the BMW 2 Series and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW 2 Series ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 89% of 2 Series on the road are likely compliant and 0% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 2 Series years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 2 Series first registered from 2014 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 2 Series ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015.
How can I check if a specific 2 Series is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your 2 Series ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.