BMW 218 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 218. Check any 218 by registration number below.

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88.6%

Avg Pass Rate

-1.3%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 218 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 218 has an average MOT pass rate of 88.6%, which is 1.3 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 218 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 218 fails its MOT are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. If you are preparing your 218 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 218, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 218 performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 143 vehicles

94.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

4.3%

Mileage at 3yr

38k mi

2020

Based on 6,301 vehicles

90.9%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

10.8%

Mileage at 3yr

33k mi

Mileage at 5yr

49k mi

2019

Based on 11,384 vehicles

90.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

10.2%

Mileage at 3yr

35k mi

Mileage at 5yr

54k mi

2018

Based on 23,048 vehicles

89.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.6%

Retest Rate

10.8%

Mileage at 5yr

59k mi

2017

Based on 26,664 vehicles

88.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

13.0%

Mileage at 5yr

66k mi

2016

Based on 31,461 vehicles

86.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.2%

Retest Rate

14.2%

2015

Based on 22,711 vehicles

85.9%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.0%

Retest Rate

14.6%

Mileage at 10yr

125k mi

2014

Based on 6,406 vehicles

83.0%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

18.3%

Mileage at 10yr

131k mi

0

Based on 52,651 vehicles

88.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

49k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 218

The most common reasons a BMW 218 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

1.9%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage

1.7%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

1.2%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

1.1%

Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction

1.0%

BMW 218 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Rear Offside

2.1%

Rear Nearside

1.4%

Nearside

0.7%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 218

BMW 218 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 218 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 218?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 218 is 88.6% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 218?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 218 are: A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (1.9%), A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (1.7%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.2%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 218 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 88.6%, the BMW 218 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 218?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 218?

Typical mileage for the BMW 218: 37,728 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 218 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 218's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.