Is the 2023 BMW 118 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW 118s from 2023 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 33 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2023 BMW 118 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

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

The 2023 BMW 118 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 33 tests in 2026. This ranks 111 out of 165 cars from 2023.

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 (2023)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2023 BMW 118?

The average mileage for a 2023 BMW 118 is 13,490 miles, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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 33 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,587

£132/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1587/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

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 3 years old, 94% of BMW 118s from 2023 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 33 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 13,490 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2023 cars111th of 165(top 67%)

Rank among BMW models319th of 1,564(top 20%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

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

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

13,490

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2023 BMW 118 has 13,490 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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 2023 sits between the two at 94%.

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

£1,772/year

94%

same

MINI COOPER

2021 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,582/year

94%

same

NISSAN QASHQAI

2021 · 1332cc Petrol

£1,582/year

94%

same

AUDI Q2

2021 · 999cc Petrol

£1,400/year

95%

+1%

Check a Specific Bmw 118

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About the 2023 BMW 118

The 2023 BMW 118 is a premium with a 1499cc petrol engine. 33 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2023, the average MOT pass rate is 95%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 13,490 miles at 3 years old, BMW 118 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2023 BMW 118?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2023 BMW 118's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 118(2023)	94%	£1137	£195	Grp 12-25	£1587
MERCEDES A(2021)	94%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772+£185
MINI COOPER(2021)	94%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5
NISSAN QASHQAI(2021)	94%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1582-£5
AUDI Q2(2021)	95%	£955	£190	Grp 1-8	£1400-£187

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.