BMW 316i Lux A MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 52 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 48.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW 316i Lux A MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW 316i Lux A is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 52 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 51.9% and a failure rate of 48.1%, which is below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW 316i Lux A earns a "Poor" reliability rating. The average BMW 316i Lux A presents for MOT with approximately 102,915 miles on the clock. The 1990 manufacture year performs best with a 53.3% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW 316i Lux A is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 34.6% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Suspension at 23.1%. Driver's View of the Road rounds out the top three at 21.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 51.9% | 27 |
| 2 | Suspension | 50.0% | 26 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.8% | 15 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.9% | 14 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 26.9% | 14 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.5% | 7 |
| 7 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 9.6% | 5 |
| 8 | Registration Plates And Vin | 7.7% | 4 |
| 9 | Body, Structure And General Items | 3.8% | 2 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 102,915 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 5.05 | 51.9% | 27 |
| Suspension | 4.86 | 50.0% | 26 |
| Brakes | 2.80 | 28.8% | 15 |
| Tyres | 2.62 | 26.9% | 14 |
| Visibility | 2.62 | 26.9% | 14 |
| Steering | 1.31 | 13.5% | 7 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.93 | 9.6% | 5 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.75 | 7.7% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.37 | 3.8% | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 0.19 | 1.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW 316i Lux A has 102,915 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW 316i Lux A has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.67% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW 316i Lux A MOT Data
The BMW 316i Lux A is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 52 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 51.9% and a failure rate of 48.1%, which is below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW 316i Lux A owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 316i Lux A is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 34.6% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 34.6% of MOT failures on the BMW 316i Lux A. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 23.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 23.1% of MOT failures on the BMW 316i Lux A. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Driver's View of the Road — 21.2% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 21.2% of MOT failures on the BMW 316i Lux A. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 316i Lux A?
Based on 52 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the BMW 316i Lux A has an overall pass rate of 51.9% (48.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 316i Lux A?
The top 3 reasons a BMW 316i Lux A fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (34.6%), 2. Suspension (23.1%), 3. Driver's View of the Road (21.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW 316i Lux A reliable?
With a 48.1% MOT failure rate, the 316i Lux A is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW 316i Lux A?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (34.6%); Suspension (23.1%); Driver's View of the Road (21.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.