Diesel BMW 316: MOT pass rate

80.7% of diesel BMW 316s pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,719 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 106,998.

Diesel against the other BMW 316 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 316 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 80.7%, and this diesel version sits 3.5 points above the 77.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel BMW 316 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 diesel BMW 316 had covered 106,998 miles at test, against 94,037 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

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 316 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 316

1. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 1.1% of tests (3.48x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.6% of tests (2.71x the national rate for this defect)
3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.4% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 5.3% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
5. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1.7% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.8% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
7. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.9% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2.1% of tests
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.1% of tests
10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.9% of tests

From 4,742 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 316 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 316's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.83% 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 diesel BMW 316

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

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 7.3% of tests (1.88x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1.4% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 5.2% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 36.5% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.3% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 9.8% of tests, also fails
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.9% of tests
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 5.3% of tests
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 2.3% of tests

From 4,742 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 316 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 316 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 316 - 74.3%

All BMW 316 MOT data · Every model