BMW 218 (2015)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 15,943 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,078

£173/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £2,078/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc11 years old15,943 tests71k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,078

Per month£173/mo

Per week£40/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.

Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

87% of MOT tests on BMW 218s from 2015 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 9 years old. That's based on 15,943 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 70,546 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2015 models216th of 515(top half)

Rank among BMW models985th of 1,548(bottom half)

vs average of all models+5%(82% avg)

vs 2015 models average+4%(83% avg)

vs BMW average-1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,546

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2015 BMW 218 had 70,546 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2014 model has the lowest at 86%. The 2015 scores 87%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW 218 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	145	23,245 mi
2020	92%	4,615	27,385 mi
2019	91%	8,454	34,150 mi
2018	91%	16,646	44,521 mi
2017	89%	18,977	54,063 mi
2016	88%	22,602	62,919 mi
2015	87%	15,943	70,546 mi
2014	86%	4,815	81,060 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-9%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

-9%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-1%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

-5%

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About the 2015 BMW 218

The 2015 BMW 218 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 15,943 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2015, the average MOT pass rate is 83%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 70,546 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2015 BMW 218 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 2015 BMW 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,078 (£173/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 218 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 218s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2015 BMW 218

At 11 years old, the BMW 218 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 15,943 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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 218 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 218(2015)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£75
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£150
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£298
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£328

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 2015 BMW 218

Is the 2015 BMW 218 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of MOT tests on 2015 BMW 218s ended in a pass, from 15,943 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2015 BMW 218 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,078 a year (£173 a month): £1,398 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2015 BMW 218?

87% of 15,943 MOT tests on the 2015 BMW 218 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 216th of 515 models first registered in 2015 (top half).

Which year BMW 218 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 218 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2014 the lowest at 86%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2015 BMW 218?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2015 BMW 218 is 70,546 miles, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.