CarCostCheck

BMW 116 (2015)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 28,417 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1707/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1995cc11 years old28,417 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,707
Per month£142/mo
Per week£33/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

85% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 11 years old, 85% of BMW 116s from 2015 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 28,417 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 82,890 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2015 cars303th of 559(top 54%)
Rank among BMW models1115th of 1,564(top 71%)
vs national average+3%(82% avg)
vs 2015 cars average+2%(83% avg)
vs BMW average-3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

82,890

Average miles

vs

81,400

Expected for age

The average 2015 BMW 116 has 82,890 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2015 sits between the two at 85%.

BMW 116 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202294%6628,603 mi
202192%2,88635,245 mi
202092%5,14144,251 mi
201988%2,80250,343 mi
201889%4,38758,950 mi
201788%16,19368,625 mi
201686%22,96778,552 mi
201585%28,41782,890 mi
201485%39,07686,633 mi
201384%22,20592,870 mi
201281%14,55298,817 mi
201180%12,733102,932 mi
201079%11,573107,394 mi
200978%10,634103,948 mi
200878%4,77398,095 mi
200777%5,414108,373 mi
200677%5,542111,975 mi
200575%2,666110,359 mi
200476%896110,096 mi

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About the 2015 BMW 116

The 2015 BMW 116 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 28,417 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2015, the average MOT pass rate is 83%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 82,890 miles at 11 years old, BMW 116 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2015 BMW 116 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2015 BMW 116?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% 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 2015 BMW 116

At 11 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 28,417 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2015 BMW 116's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 83k 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 2015 BMW 116 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 116(2015)85%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£357
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£20
AUDI A3(2015)88%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£262
FORD TRANSIT(2017)81%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632-£75

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.

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