2011 BMW 116 MOT pass rate: 75.3% (18,786 tests)
Is the 2011 116 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2011-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 76.3% +6.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 74.7% +5.8 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 74.8% +6.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2011 116
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,343 | 21.1% |
| 2 | Suspension | 2,159 | 19.4% |
| 3 | Tyres | 1,894 | 17.0% |
| 4 | Brakes | 1,734 | 15.6% |
| 5 | Visibility | 1,082 | 9.7% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 830 | 7.5% |
All 116 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3,928 | 71.1% | +6.6 pts | 107,441 |
| 2006 | 8,252 | 71.3% | +6.9 pts | 109,541 |
| 2007 | 7,955 | 73.0% | +7.9 pts | 105,938 |
| 2008 | 7,004 | 73.7% | +8.5 pts | 96,349 |
| 2009 | 16,197 | 73.4% | +7.0 pts | 98,738 |
| 2010 | 17,012 | 73.9% | +6.5 pts | 101,923 |
| 2011 (this page) | 18,786 | 75.3% | +6.1 pts | 97,443 |
| 2012 | 19,823 | 74.4% | +3.2 pts | 96,008 |
| 2013 | 31,684 | 78.6% | +5.3 pts | 89,645 |
| 2014 | 57,825 | 80.2% | +4.4 pts | 82,664 |
| 2015 | 43,025 | 81.4% | +2.6 pts | 79,313 |
| 2016 | 34,782 | 82.7% | +1.4 pts | 74,547 |
| 2017 | 24,393 | 84.8% | +0.8 pts | 65,148 |
| 2018 | 6,857 | 85.2% | -1.2 pts | 54,456 |
| 2019 | 3,951 | 86.4% | -2.0 pts | 45,406 |
| 2020 | 6,938 | 88.0% | -2.0 pts | 39,984 |
| 2021 | 2,890 | 89.3% | -1.1 pts | 37,642 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: BMW 116 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2011 BMW 116 reliable?
2011-registered examples passed 75.3% of their MOT tests (18,786 tests, 2023–2025), +6.1 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 15 years old with a median 97,443 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2011 116?
The median tested example shows 97,443 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2011 116?
In this cohort petrols pass 77.7% of tests against 72.8% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.