BMW 316 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 316. Check any 316 by registration number below.

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78.4%

Avg Pass Rate

-11.5%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

BMW 316 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 316 has an average MOT pass rate of 78.4%, which is 11.5 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 316 on the road.

The most common reasons a BMW 316 fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded. If you are preparing your 316 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 316, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 316 performs at MOT across different model years.

2019

Based on 108 vehicles

89.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.7%

Retest Rate

9.4%

Mileage at 5yr

103k mi

2018

Based on 902 vehicles

90.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

10.8%

Mileage at 5yr

98k mi

2017

Based on 1,878 vehicles

88.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

11.7%

Mileage at 5yr

117k mi

2016

Based on 1,320 vehicles

83.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.0%

Retest Rate

16.0%

2015

Based on 1,853 vehicles

83.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

17.3%

Mileage at 10yr

161k mi

2014

Based on 4,062 vehicles

82.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.6%

Retest Rate

16.9%

Mileage at 10yr

151k mi

2013

Based on 3,421 vehicles

82.5%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.7%

Retest Rate

16.9%

Mileage at 10yr

143k mi

2012

Based on 1,207 vehicles

76.0%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.9%

Retest Rate

26.9%

Mileage at 10yr

173k mi

2011

Based on 585 vehicles

79.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.5%

Retest Rate

16.8%

2010

Based on 767 vehicles

75.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.3%

Retest Rate

21.8%

2009

Based on 361 vehicles

68.4%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

8.0%

Retest Rate

25.7%

2008

Based on 135 vehicles

90.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

133k mi

2007

Based on 151 vehicles

86.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 3yr

190k mi

2005

Based on 174 vehicles

75.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.0%

Retest Rate

13.9%

2004

Based on 1,805 vehicles

66.0%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.1%

Retest Rate

26.6%

2003

Based on 1,837 vehicles

70.3%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

23.7%

2002

Based on 1,032 vehicles

71.6%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.2%

Retest Rate

23.4%

2001

Based on 889 vehicles

69.1%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.9%

Retest Rate

28.9%

2000

Based on 754 vehicles

70.8%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.1%

Retest Rate

27.6%

1999

Based on 945 vehicles

71.0%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.2%

Retest Rate

21.3%

1998

Based on 971 vehicles

73.6%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

18.9%

1997

Based on 894 vehicles

71.6%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

21.1%

1996

Based on 695 vehicles

69.9%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.1%

Retest Rate

21.8%

1995

Based on 539 vehicles

67.0%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.9%

Retest Rate

22.3%

1994

Based on 357 vehicles

70.0%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.6%

Retest Rate

22.1%

1993

Based on 330 vehicles

68.5%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.3%

Retest Rate

25.9%

1992

Based on 183 vehicles

80.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.6%

Retest Rate

14.1%

1991

Based on 282 vehicles

78.7%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.5%

Retest Rate

18.7%

1990

Based on 638 vehicles

80.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.1%

Retest Rate

12.6%

1989

Based on 385 vehicles

80.5%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

10.1%

1988

Based on 202 vehicles

81.2%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.8%

Retest Rate

19.7%

1987

Based on 170 vehicles

77.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.6%

Retest Rate

12.5%

1986

Based on 138 vehicles

89.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

8.3%

1985

Based on 45 vehicles

93.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

6.3%

1983

Based on 108 vehicles

82.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

17.5%

1982

Based on 60 vehicles

85.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

0

Based on 13,993 vehicles

79.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

96k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 316

The most common reasons a BMW 316 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

4.1%

Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer

3.5%

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded

3.2%

Exhaust system leaking or insecure

3.0%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.9%

BMW 316 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

1.9%

Rear Offside Outer

1.9%

Rear Offside

0.9%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 316

BMW 316 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 316 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 316?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 316 is 78.4% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 316?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 316 are: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (4.1%), Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer (3.5%), Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded (3.2%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 316 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 78.4%, the BMW 316 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 316?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 316?

Typical mileage for the BMW 316: 102,854 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 316 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 316's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.