Is the 2016 BMW 1 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 7,706 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW 1 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 1 SERIES?

The 2016 BMW 1 SERIES has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 7,706 tests in 2026. This ranks 142 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW 1 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2020 BMW 1 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 99%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 72%.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 1 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 1 SERIES is 60,320 miles, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 1 SERIES (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 7,706 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol2979cc10 years old7,706 tests60k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2979cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,277

Per month£190/mo

Per week£44/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 10 years old, 92% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 7,706 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 60,320 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars142th of 586(top 24%)

Rank among BMW models443th of 1,564(top 28%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+7%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

60,320

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 1 SERIES has 60,320 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2016 sits between the two at 92%.

BMW 1 SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	100%	30	56,153 mi
2020	99%	68	34,205 mi
2019	91%	32,819	41,619 mi
2018	92%	27,965	50,440 mi
2017	92%	19,053	56,121 mi
2016	92%	7,706	60,320 mi
2015	92%	4,010	67,427 mi
2014	90%	5,135	76,509 mi
2013	84%	34,105	93,913 mi
2012	82%	29,741	97,892 mi
2011	82%	5,252	97,748 mi
2010	80%	4,356	109,865 mi
2009	79%	3,810	113,355 mi
2008	80%	2,841	117,331 mi
2007	78%	1,973	120,685 mi
2006	77%	1,195	136,390 mi
2005	73%	1,066	137,675 mi
2004	72%	331	127,703 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2014 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

-5%

BMW 5 SERIES

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

91%

-1%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+1%

AUDI TT

2016 · 2480cc Petrol

£2,097/year

92%

same

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About the 2016 BMW 1 SERIES

The 2016 BMW 1 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2979cc petrol engine. 7,706 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 24% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 60,320 miles at 10 years old, BMW 1 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 BMW 1 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2979cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 1 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 1 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 1 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 1 SERIES

At 10 years old, the BMW 1 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 99%. With 7,706 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 1 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 BMW 1 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 1 SERIES(2016)	92%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2277
BMW 3 SERIES(2014)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£30
BMW 5 SERIES(2018)	91%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£240
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2018)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£240
AUDI TT(2016)	92%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2097-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.