Is the Bmw 316 reliable?

The Bmw 316 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 27 years, based on 21,165 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2018 with a 91% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 316 is best?

The 2018 Bmw 316 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. There's a 19 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 316

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 27 years from 21,165 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

21,165

Best Year

2018 (91%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 316

The Bmw 316 has been tested 21,165 times in 2026 MOT data across 27 model years (1990 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2018 model is the most reliable with a 91% pass rate from 606 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 19 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 316s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 115,728 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 64,483 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 316 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Bmw 316?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-8% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread19 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 316 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	91%	70	64,483 mi
2018	91%	606	72,417 mi
2017	90%	1,237	81,552 mi
2016	86%	948	97,386 mi
2015	86%	1,313	101,106 mi
2014	86%	2,914	95,868 mi
2013	85%	2,489	95,027 mi
2012	80%	952	123,221 mi
2011	83%	396	138,097 mi
2010	78%	548	146,511 mi
2009	73%	284	136,836 mi
2005	87%	115	80,365 mi
2004	72%	1,262	90,985 mi
2003	74%	1,265	93,504 mi
2002	76%	686	96,942 mi
2001	74%	615	100,456 mi
2000	73%	527	105,144 mi
1999	77%	803	107,610 mi
1998	78%	831	105,029 mi
1997	75%	757	107,650 mi
1996	75%	587	108,605 mi
1995	72%	467	90,008 mi
1994	74%	304	114,145 mi
1993	75%	292	129,047 mi
1992	82%	146	112,349 mi
1991	82%	241	116,990 mi
1990	82%	510	115,728 mi