Is the 2020 BMW 118 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of BMW 118s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 38,549 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 BMW 118 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 BMW 118?

The 2020 BMW 118 has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 38,549 tests in 2026. This ranks 925 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

Which year BMW 118 is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW 118 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 70%.

BMW 118 (2020)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2020 BMW 118?

The average mileage for a 2020 BMW 118 is 32,639 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 38,549 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,487

£124/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1487/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Diesel1995cc6 years old38,549 tests33k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Per week£29/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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 6 years old, 93% of BMW 118s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 38,549 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 32,639 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars925th of 2,596(top 36%)

Rank among BMW models322th of 1,564(top 21%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+1%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

32,639

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW 118 has 32,639 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2020 sits between the two at 93%.

BMW 118 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2018 · 1968cc Diesel

£1,482/year

92%

-1%

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2018 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

84%

-9%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

-2%

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About the 2020 BMW 118

The 2020 BMW 118 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 38,549 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 32,639 miles at 6 years old, BMW 118 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2020 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 2020 BMW 118?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 BMW 118

At 6 years old, the BMW 118 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 38,549 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 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

Medium risk

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.

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 2020 BMW 118 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 118(2020)	93%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1487
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2018)	92%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£5
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2018)	84%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£5

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.