How much does a 2017 BMW 120 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,927 (£161/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 BMW 120?

The 2017 BMW 120 has a 89% MOT pass rate based on 4,400 tests in 2026. This ranks 277 out of 579 cars from 2017.

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 2017 BMW 120?

The average mileage for a 2017 BMW 120 is 60,816 miles, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 120 (2017)

Q: Is the 2017 BMW 120 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of BMW 120s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 4,400 tests. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,400 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,927

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1927/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc9 years old4,400 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,927

Per month£161/mo

Per week£37/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 9 years old, 89% of BMW 120s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,400 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 60,816 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars277th of 579(top 48%)

Rank among BMW models789th of 1,564(top 50%)

vs national average+7%(82% avg)

vs 2017 cars average+2%(87% avg)

vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

60,816

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW 120 has 60,816 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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 2017 sits between the two at 89%.

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

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

+3%

FORD KUGA

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,582/year

90%

+1%

BMW 3 SERIES

2015 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,677/year

88%

-1%

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About the 2017 BMW 120

The 2017 BMW 120 is a premium with a 1998cc petrol engine. 4,400 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 60,816 miles at 9 years old, BMW 120 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2017 BMW 120 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc 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 2017 BMW 120?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,927 (£161/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% 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 2017 BMW 120

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 BMW 120's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 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(2017)	89%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1927
FORD FOCUS(2015)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£250
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£345
FORD KUGA(2018)	90%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£345
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)	88%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£250

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.