BMW 116 (2018)
2018 BMW 116
CarHunch analysed 2,354 real MOT records for the 2018 BMW 116. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 BMW 116 passes its MOT first time at 86.5%, a solid 6.5 percentage points above the UK average, suggesting these are generally well-maintained cars—though the concerning note is that 27.1% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and worth investigating on any used example you're considering. This is almost exclusively a diesel cohort, and that reliability edge holds across the board.
These cars are running at a median of 45,639 miles, which is reasonable for their age, and owners are dealing with an average of 0.92 failures and 5.5 advisories per test, indicating minor wear rather than systemic problems. Before committing to a purchase, get a full service history and specifically ask the seller or mechanic whether any dangerous defects have been flagged—that 27% figure deserves direct clarification.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- ⚠️ 27.1% 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 (100%) | 2,353 | 86.5% | 0.92 |
| Petrol (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 BMW 116 vehicles fall between 34,969 and 60,197 miles.
2018 BMW 116 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 2,190 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 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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45.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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44.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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32.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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31.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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29.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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14.4%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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13.3%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.