How much does a 2016 BMW 120 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 120?

The 2016 BMW 120 has a 88% MOT pass rate based on 6,285 tests in 2026. This ranks 283 out of 586 cars from 2016.

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 2016 BMW 120?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 120 is 70,978 miles, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 120 (2016)

Q: Is the 2016 BMW 120 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of BMW 120s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 6,285 tests. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 6,285 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £1807/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1598cc10 years old6,285 tests71k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,807

Per month£151/mo

Per week£35/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 88% of BMW 120s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,285 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 70,978 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars283th of 586(top 48%)

Rank among BMW models892th of 1,564(top 57%)

vs national average+6%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+3%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+0%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,978

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 120 has 70,978 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 2016 sits between the two at 88%.

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

VAUXHALL CORSA

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

78%

-10%

FORD FOCUS

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

80%

-8%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

-2%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,390/year

82%

-6%

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About the 2016 BMW 120

The 2016 BMW 120 is a premium with a 1598cc petrol engine. 6,285 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 70,978 miles at 10 years old, BMW 120 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 BMW 120 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc 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 2016 BMW 120?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% 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 2016 BMW 120

At 10 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 6,285 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 120'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.

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 2016 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(2016)	88%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1807
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)	78%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£85
FORD FOCUS(2014)	80%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£130
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550-£257
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2015)	82%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£417

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.