All generations and engines together · 343,189 MOT tests in the 2025 data · typical mileage at age 7: 63k
Split by first-registration year. Cars registered in a changeover year can belong to either generation.
Computed from DVSA MOT results, all of Great Britain, 2025. Nothing here is opinion.
Share of tests where each item was recorded. The dark tick is the class average across all tracked models; bars are scaled within each group.
The rows that judge the model rather than its keeper. 121,491 tests in this band.
Tyres, pads and stone chips say more about how the car was driven and maintained than about how it was built.
Owner folklore from forums and the motoring press. Most of it never shows up in an MOT, which is why this section exists at all.
Pre-2011-ish diesels (118d/120d) with the N47 engine, and some N43 petrol cars, can suffer timing chain and guide wear, with the chain sitting at the back of the engine against the gearbox, one of the worst places to get at. Owners report a rattle on start-up or at idle that gets worse, and left alone the plastic guides can break up and the chain can jump or snap, wrecking the engine. Typically shows up 60-100k miles; chain replacement runs roughly £1,100-2,500, a full rebuild after a snapped chain £3,000-5,000. BMW has run warranty replacement programmes on affected N47 units, though not a blanket recall.
On E87/E88-generation cars built roughly September 2011 to December 2015, the electric power steering control unit's contact pins can corrode and overheat, and BMW recalled these cars because it could cause a loss of power assistance, even with the ignition off. Independent of the recall, the same generation has a wider reputation for intermittent EPS faults (steering suddenly going heavy) on cars outside the recall dates too. Check the car isn't on an outstanding recall and that steering assistance stays consistent through full-lock manoeuvres.
A long-running owner complaint on F20/F21 cars: creaking or knocking from the back end over bumps and speed humps, usually traced to rear trailing arm bushes, subframe bushes or bottom ball joints letting water in and losing their lubrication. It tends to show from around 60k miles onward and a bush or arm replacement is typically a few hundred pounds. The measured MOT fault data for this segment flags suspension as the standout failure category too, so the forum noise and the test-lane numbers point the same way, though the exact bush or joint at fault varies case to case.
118d/120d models used mainly for short, low-speed trips can struggle to complete a DPF regeneration, leading to warning lights, limp mode, or a trip to a specialist for a forced clean. A sticking or coked-up EGR valve is a frequent contributing cause, and can itself trigger limp mode by upsetting boost readings. EGR valve replacement is around £150-200 parts and labour; a DPF that's beyond cleaning is a much bigger bill. Not manufacturer-acknowledged as a defect, more a consequence of diesel-in-town driving.
Diesel manual cars, especially the torquier 120d/123d, are known to chew through the dual-mass flywheel and clutch faster than the petrol range, particularly if driven at low revs or used for towing. Signs are a rattle at idle that clears when the clutch pedal is pressed, vibration through the pedal, or a jerky take-up. Some owners have had it fail well under 50k miles, others get well past 100k; a clutch and DMF replacement is typically £1,000-1,500. Doesn't apply to petrol or automatic cars.
On E81/E87/E88 cars (roughly 2007-2013), a failed footwell module (FRM3) can knock out power windows, indicators, or leave headlights stuck on or unable to switch to main beam, sometimes several of these at once. It's often triggered by a battery voltage drop, such as jump-starting the car or a low battery, and dampness getting into the footwell area doesn't help. It isn't a UK recall, but BMW ran an extended warranty programme for the part in some markets because of how often it failed. A module repair or replacement is typically £150-350.
Built from the two sections above.
Same segment (Family hatchbacks), best MOT record first. Compare before you shortlist.
Head to head with the other popular cars in its class on reliability and common faults.