2013 BMW 116 1.6L Diesel · CU63 TJO

The most recent DVSA examination on 10 June 2026 resulted in a Pass, but it was achieved with three advisories recorded against the vehicle. On the same car, the previous attempt five days earlier failed with a Major defect for excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint, alongside an inoperative offside front side repeater lamp. That repair was clearly carried out before the retest, but the advisory for front brake pads wearing thin was carried forward from the failure to the pass, and both front tyres were also flagged as being worn close to the legal limit and worn on edge. Reviewing the broader pattern, the test history is not a clean one. An inner track rod ball joint play advisory appeared in June 2024, the same joint was flagged for play again in June 2023, and the failure in June 2026 shows that this steering component has now deteriorated to the point of outright rejection. Combined with the brake and tyre advisories clustering around the front axle, there is a clear theme of accelerating front end wear rather than a stable, well-maintained pattern. With 68,883 miles recorded on a 2013 vehicle, this BMW 116 has covered approximately 5,299 miles per year on average, which is substantially below the typical mileage for a car of this age. The MOT record confirms this low usage, as there are visible gaps between examinations in 2021, 2023 and 2025 where no test appears to have been conducted. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components, it carries its own well known risks for a thirteen year old car. Extended periods of standing encourage brake disc corrosion and caliper binding, particularly on a rear wheel drive BMW where the handbrake mechanism acts on the rear discs, as well as age related deterioration of rubber components, 12V battery failure, and moisture accumulation in fluids. The 2023 advisory noting an oil leak from the rear differential seal is also worth highlighting, as standing and short journeys accelerate seal hardening and oil weeping on the rear axle assembly. Given the recurring steering linkage defects and the advisories recorded at the latest test, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension and steering geometry on any physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness, wandering, or vibration through the steering wheel, all of which would indicate that the new track rod end or related inner tie rods and suspension bushes have not fully resolved the wear pattern. Inspect both front tyres carefully for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, which on this car points to tracking issues or worn suspension components such as control arm bushes, and verify that the replacement tyres are of matching size and brand on both sides. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin at the most recent test, so budget for an imminent pad change and inspect the discs for lipping, hot spots, or surface corrosion, particularly given the car is likely to have spent considerable time standing between journeys. Beyond the recorded defects, this thirteen year old low mileage example warrants the usual age focused checks that an MOT cannot fully cover. Examine all four tyres, including the rear pair, for sidewall perishing and cracking caused by UV exposure and age, as tyres older than five years from the date code on the sidewall should be replaced regardless of tread depth. Check the 12V battery for hold down security and ask when it was last replaced, as a thirteen year old vehicle has almost certainly exceeded the service life of its battery and starter battery failure on these cars is common. Verify the service book stamps and ensure that brake fluid, coolant and automatic or manual gearbox oil have been changed on a calendar basis, as time degrades these fluids even when the mileage is low. Finally, inspect the rear differential area for fresh oil staining consistent with the previously noted seal weep, ensure the rear handbrake holds firmly on a slope without the calipers seizing, and confirm that all exterior lamps function, as the history shows a pattern of bulb related advisories and failures that may indicate intermittent electrical concerns worth investigating before purchase.