BMW 3 Series (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 48,559 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,928

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,928/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc10 years old48,559 tests81k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

~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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

90% of MOT tests on BMW 3 Seriess from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 48,559 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 80,506 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models169th of 539(top half)

Rank among BMW models663rd of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+5%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+2%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,506

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 3 Series had 80,506 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 77%. The 2016 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW 3 Series by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	908	28,473 mi
2020	91%	7,526	41,101 mi
2019	91%	27,338	48,949 mi
2018	91%	19,475	56,573 mi
2017	90%	8,077	67,957 mi
2016	90%	48,559	80,506 mi
2015	88%	61,659	89,425 mi
2014	87%	63,059	101,192 mi
2013	85%	71,326	106,062 mi
2012	82%	68,955	111,893 mi
2011	81%	57,568	119,984 mi
2010	80%	52,791	122,709 mi
2009	80%	49,275	121,100 mi
2008	80%	48,705	125,171 mi
2007	80%	55,686	130,265 mi
2006	80%	40,353	136,490 mi
2005	78%	24,924	133,038 mi
2004	78%	18,555	124,569 mi
2003	78%	19,201	122,025 mi
2002	79%	14,796	121,727 mi
2001	77%	9,406	117,601 mi
2000	77%	4,799	114,997 mi
1999	78%	7,815	113,190 mi
1998	79%	6,287	122,358 mi
1997	79%	4,853	120,261 mi
1996	82%	3,215	116,915 mi
1995	80%	2,059	114,256 mi
1994	78%	1,263	115,103 mi
1993	82%	1,173	110,323 mi
1992	84%	1,309	110,038 mi
1991	82%	1,861	119,331 mi
1990	84%	3,316	122,194 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-12%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

-10%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-4%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

-8%

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About the 2016 BMW 3 Series

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 48,559 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 80,506 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 3 Series owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2016 BMW 3 Series Fuel Costs

The 1499cc 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 2016 BMW 3 Series?

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 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 3 Series Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 3 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 3 Series

At 10 years old, the BMW 3 Series 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 93%. With 48,559 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 81k 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 2016 BMW 3 Series 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 3 Series(2016)	90%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£1,928
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£225
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£150
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£148
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£178

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 2016 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2016 BMW 3 Seriess ended in a pass, from 48,559 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 BMW 3 Series 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 2016 BMW 3 Series?

90% of 48,559 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW 3 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 169th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top half).

Which year BMW 3 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 3 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2000 the lowest at 77%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 3 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 BMW 3 Series is 80,506 miles, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.