CarCostCheck

BMW 118 (2015)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 21,089 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £1707/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Diesel1995cc11 years old21,089 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,707
Per month£142/mo
Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 11 years old, 88% of BMW 118s from 2015 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 21,089 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 73,906 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2015 cars213th of 559(top 38%)
Rank among BMW models884th of 1,564(top 57%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2015 cars average+5%(83% avg)
vs BMW average+0%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

73,906

Average miles

vs

81,400

Expected for age

The average 2015 BMW 118 has 73,906 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2015 sits between the two at 88%.

BMW 118 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202394%3313,490 mi
202297%1,53520,147 mi
202193%27,18525,932 mi
202093%38,54932,639 mi
201991%19,88538,849 mi
201889%20,17847,347 mi
201789%26,90056,377 mi
201688%25,97464,731 mi
201588%21,08973,906 mi
201485%9,05391,808 mi
201384%11,74891,745 mi
201281%12,666102,109 mi
201180%19,268108,308 mi
201080%21,005113,821 mi
200978%15,547118,268 mi
200878%11,516122,044 mi
200777%6,740124,540 mi
200674%5,578137,684 mi
200574%3,433137,158 mi
200470%581148,682 mi

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About the 2015 BMW 118

The 2015 BMW 118 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 21,089 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2015, the average MOT pass rate is 83%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 73,906 miles at 11 years old, BMW 118 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2015 BMW 118 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2015 BMW 118?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 118 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2015 BMW 118

At 11 years old, the BMW 118 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 21,089 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2015 BMW 118's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2015 BMW 118 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 118(2015)88%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)91%£905£190Grp 12-25£1350-£357
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£20
AUDI A3(2015)88%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£262
FORD TRANSIT(2017)81%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632-£75

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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