Used car guide

2002 BMW 316: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 BMW 316s, from 309 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 309 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

309MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 BMW 316s than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    BMW 316
    38.8% All 2002 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.4% of all 2002 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.

  • Individual direction indicators3.2× usual
    BMW 316
    10.4% All 2002 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.4% of all 2002 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.

By area

The share of 2002 BMW 316 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    37% 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
    32% 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
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% 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.

Looking at a BMW 316?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018331Tyres 27%
2017747Tyres 28%
2016494Tyres 27%
2015684Tyres 30%
20141,469Tyres 31%
20131,219Tyres 30%
2012393Suspension 33%
2011183Brakes 34%
2010244Suspension 46%
2004506Brakes 49%
2003550Brakes 45%
2001275Brakes 44%
2000227Suspension 40%
1999226Suspension 46%
1998221Brakes 45%
1997212Brakes 34%
1996178Brakes 39%
1995132Brakes 42%
1990168Suspension 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 BMW 316s registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score