2010 BMW 116: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW 116 first registered in 2010: we looked at the 17,173 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 BMW 116?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 BMW 116 than on all cars registered in 2010.
- Shock absorbers2.3× usualBMW 11616.3% All 2010 cars7.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Coil springs: 2.6% here, against 10.3% of all 2010 cars. Track rod ends: 0.7% here, against 5% of all 2010 cars.
Common 2010 BMW 116 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2010 BMW 116 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres34% 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.
- Suspension33% 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.
- Brakes30% 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 electrics22% 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 mirrors13% 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 leaks7% 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.
Known faults on the 2010 BMW 116
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.
- Built from June 2007
Power steering warning (built June 2007 to Dec 2011)
A part in the steering control module can fail, lighting the EPS warning and making the steering heavier.
At the viewing: Make sure the steering light goes out and the steering feels light.
- Some cars
Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 BMW 116
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 BMW 116 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW 116?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW 116 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 721 | Tyres 28% |
| 2021 | 3,039 | Tyres 28% |
| 2020 | 6,977 | Tyres 29% |
| 2019 | 3,975 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 6,896 | Tyres 30% |
| 2017 | 24,491 | Tyres 31% |
| 2016 | 34,953 | Tyres 31% |
| 2015 | 43,234 | Tyres 32% |
| 2014 | 58,122 | Tyres 33% |
| 2013 | 31,892 | Tyres 33% |
| 2012 | 19,977 | Tyres 33% |
| 2011 | 18,964 | Tyres 33% |
| 2009 | 16,353 | Brakes 36% |
| 2008 | 7,072 | Brakes 43% |
| 2007 | 8,053 | Brakes 47% |
| 2006 | 8,357 | Brakes 49% |
| 2005 | 3,977 | Brakes 47% |
| 2004 | 1,258 | Brakes 47% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 116 cars first registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score