Used car guide

2008 BMW 116: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 BMW 116s, from 1,926 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,926MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
6.3×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 BMW 116s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Flexible brake hoses6.3× usual
    BMW 116
    25.1% All 2008 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2× usual
    BMW 116
    4.3% All 2008 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Airbag warning light2.2× usual
    BMW 116
    2.2% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.1% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars. Ball joint: 1.4% here, against 6.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 BMW 116 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    36% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a BMW 116?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022685Tyres 28%
20211,479Tyres 31%
20202,295Tyres 29%
20191,311Tyres 31%
20182,295Tyres 31%
20178,180Tyres 32%
201611,552Tyres 32%
201514,303Tyres 33%
201419,036Tyres 33%
201310,332Tyres 33%
20126,349Tyres 34%
20115,753Tyres 34%
20105,059Suspension 36%
20094,712Brakes 38%
20072,129Brakes 49%
20062,122Brakes 52%
2005957Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 BMW 116s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score