Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 BMW 116?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2018 BMW 116?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2018 BMW 116?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2018 BMW 116 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2018 BMW 116 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,354 vehicles, the 2018 BMW 116 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 BMW 116?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 BMW 116 are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.2% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (32.6% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 BMW 116?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 116 (2018)

2,354 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.5% first-time pass rate

2018 BMW 116

CarHunch analysed 2,354 real MOT records for the 2018 BMW 116. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2018 BMW 116 has a decent first-time pass rate (86.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

86.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

27.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.92

Over 6 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

46k

Middle half: 35k–60k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 86.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,354 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,354 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 45.1%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 32.6%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 13.3%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,354 BMW 116 cars.

Before you buy a 2018 BMW 116

Based on MOT data from 2,354 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	2,353	86.5%	0.92

Colour Breakdown

Based on 137,001 BMW 116 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 28.6%

39,180

White 26.2%

35,957

Blue 14.3%

19,524

Grey 13.5%

18,526

Silver 9.7%

13,326

Red 5.9%

8,082

Orange 1%

1,409

Green 0.2%

316

Brown 0.2%

306

Bronze 0.2%

260

Gold 0.1%

115

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 BMW 116 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

45,639

typical

34,969

low mileage

60,197

high mileage

Half of all 2018 BMW 116 vehicles fall between 34,969 and 60,197 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 34,969 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 34,969–60,197 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 BMW 116s sit.

⚠ Over 81,265 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 BMW 116 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 BMW 116s are 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.92

Avg failures per vehicle

5.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 116: All 116 years → Which year to buy? →

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Watch for defects — worth knowing