Is the Bmw 118 reliable?

The Bmw 118 has an average MOT pass rate of 84% across 20 years, based on 298,463 tests in 2026. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2022 with a 97% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 118 is best?

The 2022 Bmw 118 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. There's a 27 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 118

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 20 years from 298,463 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

84%

Total Tests

298,463

Best Year

2022 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 118

The Bmw 118 has been tested 298,463 times in 2026 MOT data across 20 model years (2004 to 2023), with an average pass rate of 84%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2022 model is the most reliable with a 97% pass rate from 1,535 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 118s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2004) averages 148,682 miles, while the newest (2023) averages 13,490 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 118 is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

£1,137

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2023 details

How reliable is the Bmw 118?

vs national average+2% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-4% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 118 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	94%	33	13,490 mi
2022	97%	1,535	20,147 mi
2021	93%	27,185	25,932 mi
2020	93%	38,549	32,639 mi
2019	91%	19,885	38,849 mi
2018	89%	20,178	47,347 mi
2017	89%	26,900	56,377 mi
2016	88%	25,974	64,731 mi
2015	88%	21,089	73,906 mi
2014	85%	9,053	91,808 mi
2013	84%	11,748	91,745 mi
2012	81%	12,666	102,109 mi
2011	80%	19,268	108,308 mi
2010	80%	21,005	113,821 mi
2009	78%	15,547	118,268 mi
2008	78%	11,516	122,044 mi
2007	77%	6,740	124,540 mi
2006	74%	5,578	137,684 mi
2005	74%	3,433	137,158 mi
2004	70%	581	148,682 mi