Used car guide

2006 BMW 130: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 BMW 130s, from 251 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 251 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

251MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.6×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 BMW 130s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Flexible brake hoses3.6× usual
    BMW 130
    19.9% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1% of all 2006 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.

By area

The share of 2006 BMW 130 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    31% 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
    25% 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
    21% 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
    18% 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
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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.

  • Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults
    Some cars

    Faults to have been fixed: loose rear control arm joints (built May to Sept 2004), a leaking brake servo seal (built March 2006) and airbag and seatbelt wiring (built May to July 2008).

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding work.

    Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

Looking at a BMW 130?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008105Brakes 37%
2007287Brakes 34%
2005150Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 BMW 130s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score