BMW 316 Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the BMW 316 fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 21,165 MOT tests across 27 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
81%
BMW 316 pass rate
88%
BMW average
82%
All-model average
The BMW 316 has an average MOT pass rate of 81%, which is 7 points below the BMW average and 1 point below the average across all models in our data. Newer BMW 316s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
Check Your BMW 316's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the BMW 316 Fails Its MOT On
Of the 2,657 MOT tests on the BMW 316 that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
44%Cars and vans the same age: 42% · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
28%Cars and vans the same age: 35% · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
28%Cars and vans the same age: 26% · Typical repair £80-£450
Tyres
19%Cars and vans the same age: 18% · Typical repair £50-£300
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
16%Cars and vans the same age: 14% · Typical repair £80-£800
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Position lamp: not working (11% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (8.2% of failed tests, tyres)
- Parking brake efficiency below requirements (7.2% of failed tests, brakes)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a BMW 316? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
BMW 316 Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each 316 year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
BMW 316 Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Diesel | 2.0L | 91% | 9% | - |
| 2018 | Diesel | 2.0L | 91% | 9% | - |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.0L | 90% | 10% | 87% (+3) |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.0L | 86% | 14% | - |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.0L | 86% | 14% | 84% (+2) |
| 2014 | Petrol | 1.6L | 86% | 14% | 82% (+4) |
| 2013 | Petrol | 1.6L | 85% | 14% | 80% (+5) |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.0L | 80% | 19% | - |
| 2011 | Diesel | 2.0L | 83% | 16% | - |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.0L | 78% | 19% | - |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.0L | 73% | 25% | - |
| 2005 | Petrol | 1.8L | 87% | 11% | - |
| 2004 | Petrol | 1.6L | 72% | 25% | 72% (0) |
| 2003 | Petrol | 1.8L | 74% | 24% | 72% (+2) |
| 2002 | Petrol | 1.9L | 76% | 23% | - |
| 2001 | Petrol | 1.9L | 74% | 25% | - |
| 2000 | Petrol | 1.9L | 73% | 25% | - |
| 1999 | Petrol | 1.6L | 77% | 22% | - |
| 1998 | Petrol | 1.6L | 78% | 21% | - |
| 1997 | Petrol | 1.6L | 75% | 22% | - |
| 1996 | Petrol | 1.6L | 75% | 24% | - |
| 1995 | Petrol | 1.6L | 72% | 28% | - |
| 1994 | Petrol | 1.6L | 74% | 25% | - |
| 1993 | Petrol | 1.6L | 75% | 25% | - |
| 1992 | Petrol | 1.6L | 82% | 18% | - |
| 1991 | Petrol | 1.6L | 82% | 17% | - |
| 1990 | Petrol | 1.6L | 82% | 16% | - |
BMW 316 Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the BMW 316? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View BMW 316 Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
BMW 316 FAQ
What are the most common BMW 316 problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the BMW 316 that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (44% of the 2,657 failed tests), suspension (28%) and brakes (28%). The single most common fault was "Position lamp: not working" (11%). Across 21,165 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 81% ended in a pass.
Is the BMW 316 reliable?
The BMW 316 has an average MOT pass rate of 81%, from 21,165 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 3 points more often on average, a better than average result for its age.
Which BMW 316 years should I avoid?
No BMW 316 year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). The years that passed most often for their age were the 2013 (85% of 2,489 tests passed, against 80% for all 2013 cars), the 2014 (86% of 2,914 tests passed, against 82% for all 2014 cars) and the 2017 (90% of 1,237 tests passed, against 87% for all 2017 cars). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common BMW 316 faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a BMW 316 typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific BMW 316
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other BMW Models
Common problems pages for other BMW models