Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

BMW 120 Reliability

The BMW 120 (current generation) scores 79/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
79
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
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Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact BMW 120 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=67284
67,284 UK MOT tests · overall 21.8% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
81
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=42354
42,354 UK MOT tests · overall 23.8% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
77
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 67,284 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 3–5 yrs
82
7.7% fail vs 10.9% fleet
3,101 tests
Age 6–9 yrs
82
13.5% fail vs 19.2% fleet
17,457 tests
Age 10–14 yrs
81
23.3% fail vs 32.1% fleet
23,940 tests
Age 15–20 yrs
80
28.7% fail vs 38.8% fleet
22,786 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Condition
6,732
26.5%
#2
Windscreen
5,618
22.1%
#3
Shock absorbers
4,950
19.5%
#4
Tread depth
4,356
17.1%
#5
Registration plate lamp(s)
3,754
14.8%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

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