BMW 118 (2016)
2016 BMW 118
CarHunch analysed 14,096 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW 118. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 BMW 118 passes its MOT first time 87.7% of the time, which is well above the UK average of 80%, and both petrol and diesel variants perform consistently well in this regard. However, over a third of these cars—34.7%—have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant concern for potential buyers and warrants careful inspection before purchase.
At 41,711 miles median, these cars are running lower than you'd expect for an eight-year-old model, suggesting either light use or good maintenance. The average car racks up 1.1 failures per test and 7.2 advisories, pointing to minor wear items rather than structural problems—so budget for routine consumables like brake pads and suspension components, and always request the full MOT history before committing to a purchase.
What to check before buying a 2016 BMW 118
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.
- ⚠️ 34.7% 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 118
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 (60%) | 8,472 | 88% | 1.08 |
| Diesel (40%) | 5,624 | 87.3% | 1.14 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 BMW 118 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 2016 BMW 118 vehicles fall between 31,926 and 52,725 miles.
2016 BMW 118 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 13,149 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 BMW 118
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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41.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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40.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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29.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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24%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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10.5%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 118?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.