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BMW 218i Se MOT Check

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

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90.3%

Avg Pass Rate

+0.4%

vs BMW Avg

5

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 218i Se — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 218i Se has an average MOT pass rate of 90.3%, which is 0.4 percentage points above the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 218i Se is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 218i Se fails its MOT are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn. If you are preparing your 218i Se 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 218i Se, 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 218i Se performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 51 vehicles

90.2%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

14.3%

Mileage at 3yr

37k mi

2020

Based on 742 vehicles

91.6%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

8.4%

Mileage at 3yr

37k mi

Mileage at 5yr

73k mi

2019

Based on 2,950 vehicles

89.1%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

3.1%

Retest Rate

11.3%

Mileage at 3yr

48k mi

Mileage at 5yr

63k mi

2018

Based on 1,159 vehicles

90.4%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Dangerous Defects

2.4%

Retest Rate

8.4%

Mileage at 5yr

57k mi

0

Based on 2,197 vehicles

90.4%Excellent
BMW average: 89.9%
Mileage at 5yr

31k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 218i Se

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

1

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

0.9%
2

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

0.8%
3

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

0.8%
4

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

0.7%
5

A tyre seriously damaged

0.7%
BMW 218i Se Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

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

Front Nearside

7.8%

Rear Nearside

5.9%

Rear Offside

2.0%

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 218i Se

BMW 218i Se — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 218i Se MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 218i Se?
The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 218i Se is 90.3% 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 218i Se?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW 218i Se are: The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (0.9%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (0.8%), A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (0.8%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.
Is the BMW 218i Se reliable?
With an average MOT pass rate of 90.3%, the BMW 218i Se 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 218i Se?
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 218i Se?
Typical mileage for the BMW 218i Se: 36,753 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 218i Se to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 218i Se's MOT History

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

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