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MOT reliability

Bmw 120

62,290 vehicles · 870,710 completed MOT tests analysed
80%
MOT pass rate

Based on 62,290 Bmw 120 vehicles and 870,710 completed MOT tests, the Bmw 120 has an overall 80% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 115,908 miles.

62,290
Vehicles
870,710
MOT tests
8,152
Avg miles / year
1.7
Faults per test
3%
Dangerous-fault share

Bmw 120 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Bmw 120 MOT tests:

  • Other49%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension27%
  • Brakes19%
  • Lamps & electrical6%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Visibility3%
  • Steering2%
  • Body & structure1%

Bmw 120 pass rate by age

How the Bmw 120's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
12195%
23,48291%
374,88786%
471,50787%
571,64885%
671,18884%
771,11982%
870,26481%
968,15879%
1064,02478%
1158,49376%
1252,94175%
1347,09374%
1441,08074%
1533,85773%
1626,26272%
1719,07672%
1812,49372%
197,51371%
203,95271%

Fuel types: Diesel (51,564), Petrol (10,722), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (1), Electric (1), LPG (1), Steam (1)

Most common Bmw 120 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Bmw 120 MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (28,970 times)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (28,502 times)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (27,301 times)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (27,148 times)
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (26,707 times)
  6. Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii)) (20,520 times)
  7. Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii)) (20,491 times)
  8. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (20,407 times)
  9. Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay (20,083 times)
  10. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (19,538 times)
  11. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (18,192 times)
  12. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (17,510 times)
  13. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (17,301 times)
  14. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (17,255 times)
  15. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (15,971 times)

Bmw 120 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2026 1 1 100% 45,087
2023 43 52 92% 24,334
2022 100 171 91% 30,073
2021 210 664 91% 46,291
2020 624 2,506 89% 48,891
2019 625 3,335 88% 53,449
2018 1,393 9,069 87% 62,289
2017 2,386 18,360 88% 71,975
2016 3,496 29,475 87% 81,395
2015 3,838 36,686 85% 90,337
2014 3,289 35,934 83% 104,116
2013 2,705 31,785 82% 103,293
2012 2,906 38,738 80% 110,432
2011 4,027 57,090 80% 111,889
2010 4,862 73,150 80% 117,162
2009 4,594 72,390 79% 121,073
2008 6,870 110,383 78% 123,483
2007 5,523 90,127 78% 133,283
2006 5,010 87,735 78% 144,385
2005 7,014 124,039 77% 146,782
2004 2,767 48,985 77% 133,500
2003 1 16 75% 272,876
2002 2 4 75% 51,185
1997 1 3 67% 176,313
1995 2 9 56% 174,918
1993 1 4 100% 99,077

Bmw 120 reliability FAQ

Across 62,290 Bmw 120 vehicles in our MOT data, 80% pass the MOT (a 20% failure rate), with about 1.7 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Bmw 120 MOT issues are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)).

The typical Bmw 120 in our data has covered around 115,908 miles.

Compare the Bmw 120

See how the Bmw 120 stacks up against other Bmw models on MOT reliability:

120 vs 3 series 120 vs 118 120 vs 316 120 vs 520

Check a specific Bmw 120

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Bmw models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks