BMW 120I (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 38 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,928

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

100%

Excellent

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1590cc Petrol

Great Choice

100% pass rate, £1,928/year to run. 18 points above average.

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Petrol1590cc14 years old38 tests44k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1590cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,928

Per month£161/mo

Per week£37/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

100% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 18 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

100% of MOT tests on BMW 120Is from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 38 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 44,138 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models9th of 650(top 2%)

Rank among BMW models35th of 1,548(top 3%)

vs average of all models+18%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+22%(78% avg)

vs BMW average+12%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

44,138

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 BMW 120I had 44,138 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-24%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

-22%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-28%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-25%

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About the 2012 BMW 120I

The 2012 BMW 120I is a premium car. Our records list a 1590cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 38 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 2% of all 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 44,138 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 120I owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2012 BMW 120I Fuel Costs

The 1590cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 BMW 120I?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,928 (£161/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 100% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2012 BMW 120I

At 14 years old, the BMW 120I 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. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 2012 BMW 120I stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 120I(2012)	100%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£1,928
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£225
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£300
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£300
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900-£28

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 BMW 120I

Is the 2012 BMW 120I reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 100% of MOT tests on 2012 BMW 120Is ended in a pass, from 38 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 BMW 120I cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,928 a year (£161 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 BMW 120I?

100% of 38 MOT tests on the 2012 BMW 120I ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 9th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top 2%).

What is the average mileage for a 2012 BMW 120I?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 BMW 120I is 44,138 miles, which is significantly below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.