Used car guide

2016 BMW 116: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 BMW 116s, from 11,552 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,552MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
9,300typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 BMW 116s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Shock absorbers1.9× usual
    BMW 116
    8.3% All 2016 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    BMW 116
    4.5% All 2016 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Headlight aim2× usual
    BMW 116
    4.3% All 2016 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Transmission oil leaks4.2× usual
    BMW 116
    2.1% All 2016 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Washers1.9× usual
    BMW 116
    3.4% All 2016 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Coil springs: 0.3% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 BMW 116 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    15% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • EGR valve leak (diesel)
    Diesel

    The EGR valve on diesels can leak and, in rare cases, has caused fires. BMW issued recalls.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer whether the recall work was done. Watch for a strange smell or rough running.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Engine and lights cutting out

    An electrical fault could cut the engine and exterior lights. There have been three recalls.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work. Flickering lights on the dash can be an early sign.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Propshaft joint

    The front propshaft joint can fail and leave the car stranded.

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks or vibration from under the middle of the car.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Water getting in

    Blocked drains at the base of the windscreen can let water damage the electrics. Lights can mist up inside.

    At the viewing: Look for condensation in the lights and damp carpets.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

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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%
201514,303Tyres 33%
201419,036Tyres 33%
201310,332Tyres 33%
20126,349Tyres 34%
20115,753Tyres 34%
20105,059Suspension 36%
20094,712Brakes 38%
20081,926Brakes 44%
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 2016 BMW 116s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score