What year BMW 320 I is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1991 BMW 320 I has the highest pass rate at 100.0%, out of 530 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW 320 I MOT failures?

The most common BMW 320 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 320 I — Reliability by Year

25,030 vehicles · MOT data 1983–1995 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 320 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

1991

100.0% pass rate · 530 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1993

42.5% pass rate · 438 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1995	77.8%	126,799 mi	171
1994	92.9%	116,448 mi	338
1993	42.5%	112,685 mi	438
1992	85.7%	169,195 mi	601
1991	100.0%	152,248 mi	530
1990	100.0%	130,870 mi	741
1989	47.2%	113,722 mi	1,680
1988	50.0%	111,746 mi	2,465
1987	76.2%	72,222 mi	3,448
1986	75.0%	52,409 mi	4,242
1985	—	—	3,865
1984	—	—	3,722
1983	—	—	2,789

Which year BMW 320 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 52,409 miles (newest year) to 169,195 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 320 I.

See the buying guide →

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