2020 BMW 116 1.5L Diesel · EN69 OVU

Suspension and tyre wear dominate this BMW's recorded history, and the defining event is the October 2025 failure for both front coil springs fractured simultaneously, a defect that points to meaningful front suspension fatigue on a car of this age. That failure was rectified within two days and the vehicle passed on 24 October 2025, but the same test still carried advisories for rear brake pads wearing thin on both sides and for tyres worn close to the legal limit on the nearside front and offside rear. This follows a 2024 failure for an offside front tyre cut through to the cords combined with an illuminated engine malfunction indicator lamp, and a 2024 pass that flagged cracking and perishing on three of the four tyres. The overall trend is not worsening catastrophically, but it is a record of recurring consumable and suspension wear rather than a clean sheet, with only the October 2023 test entirely free of defects. The recorded mileage of 54,752 miles over roughly six years equates to about 9,125 miles per year, which is typical for the age and suggests regular mixed use rather than prolonged standing or unusually heavy accumulation. The test dates show consistent annual presentation with no significant gaps, and the February 2023 test followed by an October 2023 test simply reflects a change in test timing rather than any lapse in certification. This usage pattern is consistent with the wear items flagged: front coil springs fracturing at this mileage is not unusual on UK roads, and repeated tyre edge wear across multiple tests suggests the suspension geometry and alignment have been working hard, possibly aggravated by the broken springs before their replacement. A prospective buyer should focus first on the front suspension. Both front coil springs were replaced in October 2025, so on a test drive listen for any residual knocking or clonking over bumps that could indicate worn top mounts, drop links, or dampers that were not renewed at the same time. Check that the car sits level at the front and does not pull to either side under braking or on a straight road, as the repeated inner and outer edge tyre wear recorded in 2023, 2024, and 2025 strongly suggests the wheel alignment should be verified on a four-wheel alignment rig. Uneven wear of this pattern, if left uncorrected, will simply destroy the next set of tyres in the same way. The braking system also warrants attention given that both rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in the most recent test; confirm whether these have been replaced since October 2025, and on the test drive feel for any judder through the pedal or steering wheel under braking that would indicate disc wear or warping. The engine management light failure in October 2024 was cleared for the subsequent pass, but a diagnostic scan before purchase is advisable to confirm no stored or pending fault codes remain, particularly for emissions-related components. Finally, inspect all four tyres closely: the 2024 record of cracking and perishing between the tread on three tyres, combined with the 2025 advisories for tyres worn close to the legal limit, means the buyer should verify the age and condition of the current set and budget for replacements if any of the older tyres remain fitted.