BMW 316 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,325 MOT tests from 93 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 316 has the same fault.

BMW 316's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 510/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 316 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 316 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	683/999Good	82,954 miles	554 vehicles
N/A	N/A	621/999Good	80,815 miles	648 vehicles
N/A	N/A	607/999Good	82,177 miles	643 vehicles
N/A	N/A	491/999Average	95,324 miles	867 vehicles
N/A	N/A	476/999Average	94,281 miles	865 vehicles
N/A	N/A	441/999Average	87,097 miles	2,864 vehicles
N/A	N/A	429/999Average	80,156 miles	2,469 vehicles
N/A	N/A	424/999Average	79,013 miles	775 vehicles
N/A	N/A	422/999Average	77,588 miles	1,646 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,325 MOT tests from 93 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

1,325

Pass rate

80.2%

Median mileage

101,027 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 316 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 649 out of 999.

Common BMW 316 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 181 advisory comments and 23 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 83 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))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 73 advisory comments and 5 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))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 45 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: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE SLIGHTLY CORRODED (3.6.B.2C)

Steering rack issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 22 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 19 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: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 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 (3.7.B.7)

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 10 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 lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (7.3.D.3)

BMW 316 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
2017	8	65	86.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	5	42	85.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	5	57	78.9%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2014	11	129	77.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	18	232	86.2%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
1999	5	85	82.4%	Tyre wear, Exhaust

What to check when buying a used BMW 316

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.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
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.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Buying a BMW 316?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 316s 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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