Is the Bmw 120 reliable?

The Bmw 120 has an average MOT pass rate of 84% across 18 years, based on 86,600 tests in 2026. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 95% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 120 is best?

The 2021 Bmw 120 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 76%. There's a 19 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 120

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 18 years from 86,600 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

84%

Total Tests

86,600

Best Year

2021 (95%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 120

The Bmw 120 has been tested 86,600 times in 2026 MOT data across 18 model years (2004 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 84%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 95% pass rate from 483 tests. The 2006 model has the lowest at 76%. With a 19 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 120s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2004) averages 127,612 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 28,181 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 120 is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Bmw 120?

vs national average+2% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-4% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread19 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 120 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	95%	483	28,181 mi
2020	92%	1,544	34,573 mi
2019	91%	1,402	40,327 mi
2018	88%	2,782	51,035 mi
2017	89%	4,400	60,816 mi
2016	88%	6,285	70,978 mi
2015	87%	7,182	80,308 mi
2014	85%	6,016	94,560 mi
2013	84%	4,844	94,843 mi
2012	81%	5,511	100,642 mi
2011	81%	7,312	105,780 mi
2010	79%	7,884	109,003 mi
2009	80%	7,071	113,731 mi
2008	78%	8,671	117,236 mi
2007	78%	4,860	126,038 mi
2006	76%	4,412	139,019 mi
2005	77%	4,504	139,808 mi
2004	77%	1,437	127,612 mi