Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW 116d Sport?

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 2009 BMW 116d Sport?

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 2009 BMW 116d Sport?

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.

Is the 2009 BMW 116d Sport reliable?

Based on MOT data from 143 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 116d Sport has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 BMW 116d Sport?

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 116d Sport (2009)

143 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.6% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 116d Sport

CarHunch analysed 143 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 116d Sport. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2009 BMW 116D Sport has a first-time MOT pass rate of 49.7%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals genuine reliability concerns for the age and mileage profile. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so safety isn't the issue—it's the accumulation of smaller failures that are dragging the pass rate down.

At 110,888 miles median mileage, these cars are running high for their age, and with an average of 0.69 failures per vehicle, you're looking at needing repairs before each test. If you're considering buying one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist and expect MOT remedial work as routine maintenance rather than the exception.

We have limited data for the 2009 BMW 116d Sport — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

83.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.69

Over 4 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

111k

Middle half: 95k–127k

For context

These stats describe 143 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 143 BMW 116d Sport cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 116d Sport

Based on MOT data from 143 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 116d Sport 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.

110,888

typical

95,236

low mileage

127,295

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 116d Sport vehicles fall between 95,236 and 127,295 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 95,236 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.

✓ 95,236–127,295 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 116d Sports sit.

⚠ Over 171,848 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 BMW 116d Sport — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 2009 BMW 116d Sports are still active.

40 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.69

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Average reliability — agree?