BMW 1602 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW 1602 car check
Is the BMW 1602 reliable? We analysed 635 real MOT tests across 100 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW 1602? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW 1602 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW 1602.
BMW 1602 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW 1602. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW 1602 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW 1602 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW 1602 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW 1602 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW 1602 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW 1602 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW 1602 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW 1602 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 294 | 72.1% | 27,804 | 60,938 | 75,142 |
| 1974 | 145 | 71.7% | 15,321 | 36,791 | 49,239 |
| 1972 | 124 | 74.2% | 19,384 | 42,152 | 79,820 |
BMW 1602 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW 1602 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW 1602
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.2% MOT pass rate from 124 tests
71.7% MOT pass rate from 145 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW 1602 is 1972, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.2% across 124 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW 1602 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 1602 THIS CAR | 72.8% | 635 | 47,813 mi | 54 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Royal Enfield Scram 411 E5 | 87.5% | 489 | 4,151 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW 1602 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW 1602 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW 1602Should you buy a used BMW 1602?
The BMW 1602 has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.8% across 635 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the BMW 1602 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (62 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (30), and brake binding (28). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical BMW 1602 owner drives around 435 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW 1602 models stay on UK roads for around 54 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.