BMW 118 (2023)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 33 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc3 years old33 tests13k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

94% of MOT tests on BMW 118s from 2023 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about a year old. That's based on 33 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 13,490 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2023 models111th of 165(bottom half)

Rank among BMW models316th of 1,548(top 21%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2023 models average-1%(95% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

13,490

Average miles

7,400

Expected for age

The average 2023 BMW 118 had 13,490 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 7,400 miles for a 1-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2023 scores 94%, but cars from 2023 weren't due their first routine MOT until 2026, so its figure isn't compared here. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Mercedes A

2021 · 1991cc Petrol

£2,086/year

94%

same

MINI Cooper

2021 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

94%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2021 · 1332cc Petrol

£1,853/year

94%

same

Audi Q2

2021 · 999cc Petrol

£1,630/year

95%

+1%

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About the 2023 BMW 118

The 2023 BMW 118 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 33 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2023, the average MOT pass rate is 95%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 13,490 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 118 owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2023 BMW 118 Fuel Costs

The 1499cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2023 BMW 118?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 118 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 118s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2023 BMW 118

At 3 years old, this is still relatively fresh. You may find examples with remaining manufacturer warranty. Depreciation is slowing but hasn't bottomed out yet. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 2023 BMW 118 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 118(2023)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Mercedes A(2021)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086+£233
MINI Cooper(2021)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853same
Nissan Qashqai(2021)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853same
Audi Q2(2021)	95%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£223

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2023 BMW 118

Is the 2023 BMW 118 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2023 BMW 118s ended in a pass, from 33 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2023 BMW 118 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2023 BMW 118?

94% of 33 MOT tests on the 2023 BMW 118 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 111th of 165 models first registered in 2023 (bottom half).

Which year BMW 118 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 118 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2004 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2023 BMW 118?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2023 BMW 118 is 13,490 miles, which is well above the expected 7,400 miles for a 1-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.