2016 BMW 120 1.6L Petrol · FD16 VRW

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 10 June 2026 with a single advisory concerning a nearside front tyre containing a screw. Importantly, the tyre itself was not recorded as defective at the time of test, but the screw will require prompt attention as continued driving could lead to a slow deflation or a sudden pressure loss if the embedded object migrates. Looking back over the recorded MOT history, the vehicle has demonstrated an exceptionally stable maintenance trend, passing each annual test without any advisories or defects from 2022 through 2025 and only flagging a single minor issue at the most recent examination. The only significant event in the record was a dangerous failure in June 2021 related to a nearside rear tyre bulge caused by structural separation, which was remedied before the subsequent pass just two days later, and a handful of inner-edge wear advisories on the rear tyres in 2020 and 2021. Overall, the test history suggests the vehicle has been conscientiously maintained and that no systemic mechanical deterioration has been flagged by the DVSA over the past five years. With a recorded mileage of 34,827 miles over approximately ten years, the vehicle has covered an average of just 3,483 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical mileage for a car of this age. Such low annual usage can indicate light running, a second vehicle, or extended periods of standing between journeys. While low mileage reduces wear on high-value components such as the engine internals, clutch, and gearbox, it introduces its own set of considerations related to age-related degradation rather than wear-related degradation. The four consecutive advisories or defects on tyres between 2020 and 2021, followed by several years of clean tyre reports, could indicate that the vehicle was exercised more frequently during the earlier part of the recorded history and then experienced periods of inactivity, allowing flat-spotting or sidewall deterioration to develop. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the condition of the tyres, given the advisory at the latest test and the historical record of inner-edge wear. The current nearside front screw advisory should be addressed immediately, and all four tyres should be inspected for sidewall cracking, perishing, or bulges that may have developed during periods of standing. On a test drive, listen for any irregular road noise or vibration that could indicate a deformed tyre, and visually inspect the tread depth across the full width to ensure even wear rather than the inner or outer edge wear previously recorded. Although the 2020 advisories noted inner-edge wear on both rear tyres, which can indicate rear suspension misalignment or worn rear suspension bushes, no further recurrence suggests this may have been resolved, but a buyer should still monitor for uneven rear tyre wear going forward. Given the low annual mileage and ten-year age of the vehicle, several time-based rather than mileage-based checks are strongly recommended. The 12V battery is particularly vulnerable to failure after prolonged standing and should be load-tested, as a weak battery can leave the vehicle stranded and may indicate underlying electrical drain issues. Brake discs may have developed corrosion on their working surfaces from lack of use, which typically presents as a shudder or vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal on the first few applications of the brakes, and binding calipers can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or generate excessive heat. All fluids, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and the automatic or manual gearbox oil where applicable, degrade with calendar age and should be inspected and likely replaced regardless of the recorded mileage. Finally, examine the exhaust system, suspension components, and underbody for any signs of standing corrosion, and verify that the service book or digital service history contains regular stamp entries, as low-mileage vehicles are sometimes neglected on routine servicing schedules despite covering few miles.