Petrol BMW 120: MOT pass rate

80.4% of petrol BMW 120s pass the MOT first time, measured across 7,440 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 73,234.

Petrol against the other BMW 120 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the BMW 120 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 80.4%, and this petrol version sits 3.4 points above the 77% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol BMW 120 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol BMW 120 had covered 73,234 miles at test, against 105,582 for the diesel. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 120 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol BMW 120

1. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.4% of tests (5.18x the national rate for this defect)
2. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.6% of tests (4.66x the national rate for this defect)
3. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.7% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this defect)
4. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.4% of tests (2.56x the national rate for this defect)
5. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.2% of tests (1.94x the national rate for this defect)
6. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.3% of tests (1.81x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.8% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.1% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.2% of tests
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.9% of tests

From 7,524 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 120 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 120's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.55% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol BMW 120

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 11.8% of tests (21.13x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 3.7% of tests (2.69x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.1% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
4. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.8% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.6% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28.3% of tests, also fails
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 10.7% of tests, also fails
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 9.6% of tests
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.3% of tests

From 7,524 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 120 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 120 fuel types

• Diesel BMW 120 - 76.2%

All BMW 120 MOT data · Every model