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BMW 1 Series 116i Business + common faults.

2011–2015, hatchback, petrol, 136 HP.

The fault list covers: N13B16U0 engine, ZF8HP transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

1 fault write-ups. Important. 3 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

ZF 8HP automatic: mechatronics unit and connector sleeve leak

expensive

The ZF eight speed automatic (BMW Steptronic 8HP family) has two faults, and you can feel both.

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The first is the mechatronics unit: the valve body and the control electronics in one. If the solenoids or the pressure regulation weaken, the gearbox jerks, the D/R engagement is delayed, it logs a gear ratio fault code, and finally drops into limp mode (often staying in 2nd or 3rd).

The second, and often misdiagnosed, is the connector sleeve of the mechatronics unit: the O-ring of the plastic sleeve ages, and ATF leaks from the side of the housing, exactly where the wiring harness enters. This is easy to mistake for a rear crankshaft seal. The trail starts from the driver's side of the housing, not from the clutch side.

On cars built in 2023 there was also a separate safety recall for a welding fault in the mechatronics unit. That is not the same as the wear related sleeve and the valves.

Check the fluid level, the area around the sleeve and the fault codes first; do not accept a "full gearbox replacement" quote straight away.

above 120,000 km

What to check

  • On the test drive watch for delayed D/R engagement, a jerk when shifting, and limp mode (a stuck gear)
  • Look at the driver's side of the gearbox housing where the wiring harness enters: an ATF trail from the sleeve is suspect
  • Do not confuse it with a rear crankshaft seal leak: the direction of the trail decides
3 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW 1 Series 116i Business +

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall3 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 19 March 2025

SR/01940/26Safety recallInjuries19 March 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 19/03/2025

The authority's notice

A12/01930/23Safety recallInjuries29 June 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021

The authority's notice

A12/00783/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

N13B16U0

100 kW (136 HP) · unknown

ZF8HP · 8-speed automatic, longitudinal (ZF 8HP45/50/51)

automatic · 8 speed

Torque limit500 Nm
MakerZF

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
116i Business +
Body
hatchback
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
1598 cc
Power
100 kW (136 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2011–2015

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Automatic gearbox oil (ZF 8HP / 6HP)

    • 160,000 km
All F20 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms