How much does a 2009 BMW 120 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 BMW 120?

The 2009 BMW 120 has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 7,071 tests in 2026. This ranks 209 out of 575 cars from 2009.

Which year BMW 120 is most reliable?

The 2021 BMW 120 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 76%.

What is the average mileage for a 2009 BMW 120?

The average mileage for a 2009 BMW 120 is 113,731 miles, which is in line with the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 120 (2009)

Q: Is the 2009 BMW 120 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of BMW 120s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 7,071 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 7,071 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1995cc17 years old7,071 tests114k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/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

80% 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%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 17 years old, 80% of BMW 120s from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 7,071 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 113,731 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars209th of 575(top 36%)

Rank among BMW models1342th of 1,564(top 86%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 2009 cars average+5%(75% avg)

vs BMW average-8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

113,731

Average miles

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 BMW 120 has 113,731 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2009 sits between the two at 80%.

BMW 120 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2011 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

75%

-5%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2011 · 1997cc Petrol

£2,217/year

69%

-11%

MINI MINI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,677/year

80%

same

BMW 3 SERIES

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

same

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About the 2009 BMW 120

The 2009 BMW 120 is a premium with a 1995cc petrol engine. 7,071 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 113,731 miles at 17 years old, BMW 120 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2009 BMW 120 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2009 BMW 120?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 120 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2009 BMW 120

At 17 years old, the BMW 120 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 7,071 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 BMW 120's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 17 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 114k 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 2009 BMW 120 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 120(2009)	80%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
FORD FOCUS(2011)	75%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2011)	69%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£170
MINI MINI(2010)	80%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£180

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.