Is the 2021 BMW 116 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW 116s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,886 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 BMW 116 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,355 (£113/month), including £905 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 116?

The 2021 BMW 116 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 2,886 tests in 2026. This ranks 1831 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

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%.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW 116?

The average mileage for a 2021 BMW 116 is 35,245 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 116 (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,886 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,355

£113/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1496cc Diesel

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1355/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Diesel1496cc5 years old2,886 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1496cc)

~55 mpg

£905

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,355

Per month£113/mo

Per week£26/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 5 years old, 92% of BMW 116s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,886 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 35,245 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1831th of 3,373(top 54%)

Rank among BMW models462th of 1,564(top 30%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,245

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 116 has 35,245 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 92%.

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

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

MERCEDES A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-1%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

KIA SPORTAGE

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

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About the 2021 BMW 116

The 2021 BMW 116 is a premium with a 1496cc diesel engine. 2,886 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 35,245 miles at 5 years old, BMW 116 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 BMW 116 Fuel Costs

The 1496cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £905 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 2021 BMW 116?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,355 (£113/month), broken down as £905 fuel, £195 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 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 2021 BMW 116

At 5 years old, the BMW 116 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 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

Medium risk

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

Low risk

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

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 2021 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(2021)	92%	£905	£195	Grp 12-25	£1355
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£145
MERCEDES A(2019)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£5
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£145
KIA SPORTAGE(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£145

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.