2014 BMW 116 1.6L Petrol · MK14 LCO

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a persistent unresolved mechanical issue regarding the steering system. While the most recent test in October 2025 at 80,389 miles resulted in a pass, the offside front play in the steering rack inner joints remains. This defect has appeared in four out of the last five tests back to 2021, indicating that the previous owners have opted to monitor the wear rather than replace the faulty component. The trend is stable rather than improving. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a twelve-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,700 miles per annum. There is a clear progression of usage between tests, such as the 9,346 miles driven between October 2024 at 64,043 miles and October 2025. This low annual mileage generally suggests less overall stress on the drivetrain and engine components, yet the high frequency of the steering rack fault suggests that the component is either prematurely worn or suffering from a specific failure unrelated to the vehicle's age. A prospective buyer must prioritise a physical inspection of the steering assembly to determine the extent of the play in the inner joints. The recurring nature of this advisory suggests the rack may be nearing the end of its functional life which would result in a significant repair cost. Additionally, the 2024 advisory regarding a cracking or perishing nearside front tyre indicates that the low mileage may have led to rubber rot despite having sufficient tread depth. You should check all tyres sidewalls for age cracking and inspect the suspension bushes for signs of accelerated degradation that have not yet been flagged by the tester.