BMW 116 (2004)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 896 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,228

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,228/year to run. 6 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 116

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1596cc22 years old896 tests110k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

76% of MOT tests on BMW 116s from 2004 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 20 years old. That's based on 896 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 110,096 miles.

Got a BMW 116 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 models177th of 470(top half)

Rank among BMW models1458th of 1,548(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 2004 models average+4%(72% avg)

vs BMW average-12%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

110,096

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2004 BMW 116 had 110,096 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW 116?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2004 scores 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW 116 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	94%	66	28,603 mi
2021	92%	2,886	35,245 mi
2020	92%	5,141	44,251 mi
2019	88%	2,802	50,343 mi
2018	89%	4,387	58,950 mi
2017	88%	16,193	68,625 mi
2016	86%	22,967	78,552 mi
2015	85%	28,417	82,890 mi
2014	85%	39,076	86,633 mi
2013	84%	22,205	92,870 mi
2012	81%	14,552	98,817 mi
2011	80%	12,733	102,932 mi
2010	79%	11,573	107,394 mi
2009	78%	10,634	103,948 mi
2008	78%	4,773	98,095 mi
2007	77%	5,414	108,373 mi
2006	77%	5,542	111,975 mi
2005	75%	2,666	110,359 mi
2004	76%	896	110,096 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

73%

-3%

MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

71%

-5%

BMW 3 Series

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,361/year

80%

+4%

Honda Jazz

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

-5%

Check a Specific BMW 116

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2004 BMW 116

The 2004 BMW 116 is a premium car. Our records list a 1596cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 896 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2004, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 110,096 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 116 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 BMW 116 Fuel Costs

The 1596cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 BMW 116?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,228 (£186/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 116 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 116s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2004 BMW 116

At 22 years old, the BMW 116 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 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 110k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2004 BMW 116 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 116(2004)	76%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228
Ford Focus(2006)	73%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
MINI(2005)	71%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228same
BMW 3 Series(2006)	80%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361+£133
Honda Jazz(2006)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£75

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2004 BMW 116

Is the 2004 BMW 116 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 2004 BMW 116s ended in a pass, from 896 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2004 BMW 116 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,228 a year (£186 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW 116?

76% of 896 MOT tests on the 2004 BMW 116 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 177th of 470 models first registered in 2004 (top half).

Which year BMW 116 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 116 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2005 the lowest at 75%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2004 BMW 116?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2004 BMW 116 is 110,096 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.