2005 BMW 120 2.0L Diesel · SP55 USC
2005 BMW 120 (2.0L, diesel). First registered 02 Sept 2005. Recorded mileage 183,896 miles. MOT expired on 24 Jul 2023. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 120
- Year / Origin
- 2005 · Dundee
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 24 Jul 2023
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 183,896 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
SP55 USC Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT failed on 22/09/2023
- 183,896 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 9 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
SP55 USC MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 2005 BMW 120 (SP55 USC) between July 2022 and September 2023.
The record contains 1 pass and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 22 September 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Steering (1 issue), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Emissions unable to be completed due to oil leak (8.2.2.2 (e))”; “Power steering inoperative (2.1.5 (c) (i))”; “Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))”.
SP55 USC Mileage History
- 13/07/2022182,769 mi
- 13/07/2022182,769 mi
- 22/09/2023183,896 mi+1,127 mi
Average of roughly 944 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution. The most recen
Your primary focus must be verifying whether the severe failures from the September 2023 MOT have been professionally repaired. Specifically, demand evidence of the rear sub-frame repair and the power steering system replacement, as these are costly and safety-critical.
Check for a detailed service history that addresses the recurring oil leak mentioned in both 2022 and 2023. Negotiate the price heavily to account for the vehicle's age and the high probability of further wear and tear on a diesel engine with nearly 184,000 miles.
As a 2.0L diesel from 2005, this vehicle will fall into a higher road tax bracket compared to modern equivalents. Insurance costs are typically moderate for the 120 model, but the age and mileage may affect premiums.
Maintenance costs are expected to be high. Given the history of oil leaks and brake fluctuations, expect frequent visits to a garage. Annual costs will be driven up by the need for aging component replacement and diesel emissions compliance.
Prioritise a physical inspection of the rear sub-frame for signs of corrosion and welding repairs, as it was listed as 'seriously weakened' in 2023. Test the power steering and parking brake efficiency, both of which were recorded as failures in the most recent test.
Inspect the engine bay thoroughly for active oil leaks, which have been a persistent issue in the MOT history since July 2022. Finally, check the front coil springs and brake responsiveness, specifically looking for the 'excessively fluctuating' service brakes noted in the records.
This 2005 grey BMW 120 diesel has recorded 183,896 miles and a concerning recent MOT history. The September 2023 test resulted in a failure featuring structural corrosion and total power steering failure. While the model has a general pass rate of 80.9%, this specific vehicle shows a pattern of brake and oil leak issues.
The BMW 120 has an average MOT pass rate of 80.9% across 50,672 analysed vehicles, with common failures typically involving headlamps and exhausts.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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