BMW 116 (2015)
2015 BMW 116
CarHunch analysed 15,406 real MOT records for the 2015 BMW 116. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 BMW 116 passes its MOT slightly more often than the UK average at 84.8%, which is reassuring, but the dangerous defect rate is a serious concern—41.8% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous fault, well above acceptable thresholds and something any buyer should investigate thoroughly on a pre-purchase inspection. Petrol models perform marginally better at 86.8% pass rate versus diesels at 84.4%, a modest but real difference worth noting.
At around 62,000 miles for a nine-year-old car, these 116s show typical mileage for their age, suggesting fair use rather than neglect or abuse. The average of 1.55 failures and 9.4 advisories per vehicle indicates persistent minor issues rather than catastrophic problems, but if you're buying one, demand a full service history and get an independent engineer's report focusing specifically on the brake system and suspension components—the most common sources of dangerous defects in this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2015 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.
- ⚠️ 41.8% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (84%) | 12,950 | 84.4% | 1.58 |
| Petrol (16%) | 2,456 | 86.8% | 1.38 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 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 2015 BMW 116 vehicles fall between 48,719 and 77,481 miles.
2015 BMW 116 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13,672 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 93% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 BMW 116
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
55%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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53.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
41.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
38.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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38.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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29.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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23.6%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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21.6%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. 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.