What year BMW 316 I is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1997 BMW 316 I has the highest pass rate at 85.7%, out of 315 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW 316 I MOT failures?

The most common BMW 316 I MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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BMW 316 I — Reliability by Year

7,196 vehicles · MOT data 1991–1999 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 316 I was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

1997

85.7% pass rate · 315 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1999

56.7% pass rate · 118 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1999	56.7%	134,599 mi	118
1998	75.6%	130,636 mi	225
1997	85.7%	119,378 mi	315
1996	66.7%	146,699 mi	424
1995	66.7%	210,912 mi	640
1994	70.0%	117,929 mi	1,033
1993	83.3%	107,003 mi	1,361
1992	63.3%	151,813 mi	2,015
1991	—	—	1,065

Which year BMW 316 I is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 107,003 miles (newest year) to 210,912 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a BMW 316 I.

See the buying guide →

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