BMW

BMW 316 (1982)

6,192 real MOT outcomes analysed

1982 BMW 316

CarHunch has 6,192 1982 BMW 316 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Still on the Road Colour Breakdown Compare Models

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1982 BMW 316 doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other BMW vehicles below.

Browse all BMW models →
No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific BMW 316 you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

UK
MOT statistics not available

We have 6,192 1982 BMW 316 vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

  • Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
  • Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
  • MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
  • Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT
Check on the official DVSA service →

What tends to go wrong

Across 6,192 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 27.9%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Brakes imbalanced across an axle · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 24%
Oil leak · Hazard warning switch faulty · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …
Exhaust & emissions 21.2%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Suspension & steering 15.9%
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded · Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Tyre wear 12.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982.

Before you buy a 1982 BMW 316

Based on MOT data from 6,192 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.7% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 155,615 BMW 316 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 20.6%
32,075
Black 18.7%
29,126
Red 18.2%
28,273
Silver 14.5%
22,636
White 10.1%
15,777
Green 9.7%
15,133
Grey 4.4%
6,869
Bronze 1%
1,567
Beige 0.8%
1,186
Gold 0.7%
1,076
Brown 0.6%
965
Purple 0.6%
932

1982 BMW 316 — Still on the Road

16 vehicles from this cohort appeared in light-vehicle MOT records in 2024 — a small subset of the registered total, likely lighter variants or specialist conversions tested as light vehicles.

54 16 2014 2024

Based on vehicles from this cohort that appeared in the DVLA light-vehicle MOT database. Most vehicles of this type are tested under the separate DVSA HGV annual testing regime and are not counted here. Data from 2014–2024.

Other model years — BMW 316: All 316 years → Which year to buy? →
1980 1981 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Or browse all models: BMW →

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Compare with another model

See how the 1982 BMW 316 stacks up against a rival.