Is the 2006 BMW 116 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of BMW 116s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 5,542 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2006 BMW 116 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 BMW 116?

The 2006 BMW 116 has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 5,542 tests in 2026. This ranks 222 out of 575 cars from 2006.

Which year BMW 116 is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW 116 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 75%.

BMW 116 (2006)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2006 BMW 116?

The average mileage for a 2006 BMW 116 is 111,975 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,542 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,957

£163/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1957/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1596cc20 years old5,542 tests112k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1596cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,957

Per month£163/mo

Per week£38/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 20 years old, 77% of BMW 116s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,542 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 111,975 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars222th of 575(top 39%)

Rank among BMW models1445th of 1,564(top 92%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 2006 cars average+4%(73% avg)

vs BMW average-11%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

111,975

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 BMW 116 has 111,975 miles on the clock, 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.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2006 sits between the two at 77%.

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 FIESTA

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

72%

-5%

FORD FOCUS

2008 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-4%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2008 · 1229cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

-4%

BMW 3 SERIES

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+3%

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About the 2006 BMW 116

The 2006 BMW 116 is a premium with a 1596cc petrol engine. 5,542 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2006, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 111,975 miles at 20 years old, BMW 116 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 BMW 116?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,957 (£163/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 116 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 116s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 BMW 116

At 20 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 5,542 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 BMW 116's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 112k 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 2006 BMW 116 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 116(2006)	77%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1957
FORD FIESTA(2008)	72%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235
FORD FOCUS(2008)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(2008)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£235
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£90

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.