Used car guide

2010 BMW 120: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 BMW 120s, from 3,451 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,451MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 BMW 120s than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Shock absorbers2.7× usual
    BMW 120
    21.2% All 2010 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.1% of all 2010 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.1% here, against 11.4% of all 2010 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3.7% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 BMW 120 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    33% 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
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% 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
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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.

Looking at a BMW 120?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020621Tyres 25%
2019642Tyres 26%
20181,396Tyres 28%
20172,316Tyres 27%
20163,349Tyres 27%
20153,584Tyres 29%
20142,942Tyres 32%
20132,330Tyres 31%
20122,386Tyres 34%
20113,160Tyres 36%
20092,909Suspension 40%
20083,328Brakes 45%
20071,964Brakes 47%
20061,752Brakes 54%
20051,712Brakes 50%
2004534Brakes 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 BMW 120s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score