BMW 518 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 518. Check any 518 by registration number below.

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77.8%

Avg Pass Rate

-12.1%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

BMW 518 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 518 has an average MOT pass rate of 77.8%, which is 12.1 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 518 on the road.

The most common reasons a BMW 518 fails its MOT are a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. If you are preparing your 518 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 518, 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 518 performs at MOT across different model years.

2017

Based on 48 vehicles

75.0%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

14.8%

Retest Rate

22.2%

2016

Based on 777 vehicles

88.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.9%

Retest Rate

13.4%

2015

Based on 1,481 vehicles

87.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.8%

Retest Rate

12.4%

Mileage at 10yr

210k mi

2014

Based on 2,305 vehicles

85.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

13.5%

Mileage at 10yr

200k mi

2013

Based on 842 vehicles

80.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

6.1%

Retest Rate

21.5%

Mileage at 10yr

199k mi

1996

Based on 43 vehicles

83.7%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

1995

Based on 101 vehicles

65.3%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

28.6%

1994

Based on 59 vehicles

61.0%Below Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

31.8%

1993

Based on 52 vehicles

90.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1992

Based on 40 vehicles

60.0%Below Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

10.7%

Retest Rate

42.9%

1990

Based on 38 vehicles

63.2%Below Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

40.7%

1988

Based on 40 vehicles

92.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

1987

Based on 66 vehicles

80.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

14.8%

1986

Based on 39 vehicles

69.2%Average

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

7.1%

1985

Based on 30 vehicles

76.7%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

10.0%

0

Based on 2,718 vehicles

85.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

115k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 518

The most common reasons a BMW 518 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

9.9%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

2.3%

A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened

2.3%

a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm

2.1%

Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

1.8%

BMW 518 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

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

Rear Nearside

8.3%

Rear Offside

4.2%

Front Nearside Lower

4.2%

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 518

BMW 518 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 518 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 518?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 518 is 77.8% 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 518?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 518 are: A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (9.9%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (2.3%), A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (2.3%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 518 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 77.8%, the BMW 518 is rated as "Good" 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 518?

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 518?

Typical mileage for the BMW 518: 209,684 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 518 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 518's MOT History

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