BMW 218 (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 18,977 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc9 years old18,977 tests54k 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

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

89% of MOT tests on BMW 218s from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 18,977 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 54,063 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models243rd of 540(top half)

Rank among BMW models775th of 1,548(bottom half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average+2%(87% avg)

vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,063

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW 218 had 54,063 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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 2017 scores 89%. 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%

-11%

Ford Focus

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

85%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

Volkswagen Polo

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,750/year

82%

-7%

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About the 2017 BMW 218

The 2017 BMW 218 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 18,977 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 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 54,063 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2017 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 2017 BMW 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% 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 2017 BMW 218

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 18,977 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 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(2017)	89%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£150
Ford Focus(2015)	85%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£223
Volkswagen Polo(2015)	82%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,750-£253

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 2017 BMW 218

Is the 2017 BMW 218 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2017 BMW 218s ended in a pass, from 18,977 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 BMW 218 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 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 2017 BMW 218?

89% of 18,977 MOT tests on the 2017 BMW 218 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 243rd of 540 models first registered in 2017 (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 2017 BMW 218?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 BMW 218 is 54,063 miles, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.