BMW 116 (2006)
2006 BMW 116
CarHunch analysed 7,405 real MOT records for the 2006 BMW 116. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 BMW 116 hits the UK average with a 79.2% pass rate, but the real concern is that 41.2% of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect at some point—well above typical levels and a serious red flag for buyers. This suggests underlying reliability issues that go beyond routine wear, particularly around critical safety systems.
At 70,124 miles median for an 18-year-old car, these 116s are relatively low-mileage, yet they're averaging 3.66 failures and 23.4 advisories per test, indicating problems accumulate quickly regardless of distance covered. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on braking and suspension components, where the dangerous defect pattern likely concentrates.
What to check before buying a 2006 BMW 116
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 41.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 116
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 7,346 | 79.2% | 3.66 |
| Diesel (1%) | 59 | 78.2% | 3.53 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 BMW 116 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 BMW 116 vehicles fall between 56,850 and 84,680 miles.
2006 BMW 116 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,034 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (30% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2006 BMW 116
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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85.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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84.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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66.8%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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65.7%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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64.5%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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60.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.1%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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59.9%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 116?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.