BMW 420 (2016)
2016 BMW 420
CarHunch analysed 12,174 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW 420. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 BMW 420 passes its MOT first time at 88.4%, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these cars are generally well-maintained and mechanically sound. However, 37.8% of vehicles in this cohort have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake and suspension components.
These 420s are running at a median 59,500 miles, right on track for their age, and the similar pass rates between diesel (88.2%) and petrol (89.2%) variants mean fuel choice isn't a reliability differentiator. With 0.99 average failures per test and 6.7 advisories, expect minor wear items to crop up regularly—budget for consumables and electrics, and have any purchase independently checked by a BMW-savvy mechanic before committing.
What to check before buying a 2016 BMW 420
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.
- ⚠️ 37.8% 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 420
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (79%) | 9,576 | 88.2% | 1.01 |
| Petrol (21%) | 2,598 | 89.2% | 0.94 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 BMW 420 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 420 vehicles fall between 45,263 and 76,603 miles.
2016 BMW 420 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10,719 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% 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 420
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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35.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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15.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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11%
Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()
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10.1%
Front 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 420?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.