1997 BMW 316i: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 BMW 316i?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 BMW 316i than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Ball joint2.4× usual
  BMW 316i

  11% All 1997 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Airbag warning light4.5× usual
  BMW 316i

  4.5% All 1997 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.7% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes2.4× usual
  BMW 316i

  5.6% All 1997 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 1997 BMW 316i MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 BMW 316i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  38% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  36% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  26% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  24% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  24% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 BMW 316i

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 BMW 316i as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 1997 BMW 316i as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 BMW 316i as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?