BMW 316
From 17,169 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 316s fare better: 2018 models pass at 89.4% vs 72.1% for 1996.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 653 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 653 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 381 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 370 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 293 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 286 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 264 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 259 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 256 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 232 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 212 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.2% of failures are serious: 44.2% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 8% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £126.
Fuel type matters
Diesel versions pass at 80.5% while Petrol versions pass at 73.2%, a 7 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 89.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2017 | 88.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2016 | 80.1% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 79.9% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
26 earlier years
| 2014 | 81.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2013 | 78% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2012 | 72.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2011 | 75.1% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2010 | 76.1% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 64.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2005 | 78.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 2004 | 68.6% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 2003 | 71.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2002 | 69.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2001 | 69% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2000 | 70.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1999 | 72% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1998 | 70.7% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1997 | 72.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits |
| 1996 | 72.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 1995 | 65.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 1994 | 67.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1993 | 71.2% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1992 | 74.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1991 | 83.6% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1990 | 80% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1989 | 80.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1988 | 76.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 1987 | 78% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1986 | 79.5% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
Typical mileage
Half of all 316s tested had between 72,437 and 115,143 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 97,003 median miles, the 316 has 0.025 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 316 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 316 has a 75.8% MOT pass rate based on 17,169 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 316?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 316 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 653 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 316 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 316 is 97,003 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 72,437 and 115,143 miles.
Buying a used 316?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 75.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £126 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.