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BMW 120 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,440 MOT tests from 250 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 120 has the same fault.

BMW 120's have a very good reliability rating of 600/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 120 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.

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Check a BMW 120 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

BMW 120 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A786/999Very good76,382 miles577 vehicles
N/AN/A717/999Very good73,095 miles1,882 vehicles
N/AN/A674/999Good73,652 miles2,269 vehicles
N/AN/A637/999Good74,241 miles2,180 vehicles
N/AN/A595/999Above average74,503 miles2,011 vehicles
N/AN/A575/999Above average74,433 miles1,537 vehicles
N/AN/A495/999Average78,254 miles1,645 vehicles
N/AN/A476/999Average84,796 miles1,806 vehicles
N/AN/A441/999Average79,891 miles1,513 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 120?

Based on 3,440 MOT tests from 250 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

250

MOT tests

3,440

Pass rate

81.3%

Median mileage

99,936 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 120 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 647 out of 999.

Common BMW 120 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 527 advisory comments and 104 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 126 advisory comments and 25 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))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 44 advisory comments and 58 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 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 LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 81 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: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 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))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 40 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 22 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 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 parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

BMW 120 MOT reliability by year

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

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2018107379.5%Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
20172520790.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20161816288.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20152929982.9%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20141717483.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20131519282.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20121520980.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20112233680.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20101828280.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20091832081.6%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20082139780.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20071223980.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006921071.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005817383.2%Tyre wear, Indicator faults

What to check when buying a used BMW 120

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.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • 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.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a BMW 120?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 120s 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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