BMW 116 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 9,444 MOT tests from 790 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 116 has the same fault.

BMW 116's have a very good reliability rating of 614/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 116 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 116 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	752/999Very good	72,359 miles	2,647 vehicles
N/A	N/A	710/999Very good	75,323 miles	5,469 vehicles
N/A	N/A	694/999Good	68,126 miles	644 vehicles
N/A	N/A	687/999Good	76,972 miles	8,513 vehicles
N/A	N/A	667/999Good	77,715 miles	3,533 vehicles
N/A	N/A	649/999Good	77,313 miles	9,736 vehicles
N/A	N/A	647/999Good	78,845 miles	3,660 vehicles
N/A	N/A	615/999Good	76,789 miles	2,228 vehicles
N/A	N/A	563/999Above average	78,007 miles	3,580 vehicles
N/A	N/A	524/999Above average	74,278 miles	1,585 vehicles
N/A	N/A	510/999Above average	84,759 miles	1,264 vehicles
N/A	N/A	481/999Average	73,019 miles	1,646 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	74,661 miles	888 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 116?

Based on 9,444 MOT tests from 790 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

790

MOT tests

9,444

Pass rate

81.4%

Median mileage

92,479 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 116 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 676 out of 999.

Common BMW 116 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,992 advisory comments and 293 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 493 advisory comments and 66 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 342 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 227 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Steering rack issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 139 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play, a leak, or a damaged gaiter on the steering rack.

What to inspect

Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT PLAY IN STEERING RACK INNER JOINT(S)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 125 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 54 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 53 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

BMW 116 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2020	11	52	88.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	5	27	88.9%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2018	13	91	84.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	45	381	85.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	94	887	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	136	1378	81.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	159	1863	81.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	86	1073	81.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	85	1178	80.5%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2011	49	726	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	20	339	79.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2009	27	474	80.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	14	269	81%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	10	199	83.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2006	11	241	78.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 116

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Steering rack issues. Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a BMW 116?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 116s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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