BMW 218 (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,615 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,856

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1,856/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc6 years old4,615 tests27k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,401

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,856

Per month£155/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.88p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 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).

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

92% of MOT tests on BMW 218s from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 4,615 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 27,385 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1221st of 2,554(top half)

Rank among BMW models449th of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average+0%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

27,385

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW 218 had 27,385 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-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 2020 scores 92%. 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

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,856/year

92%

same

Vauxhall Corsa

2018 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,006/year

85%

-7%

Nissan Qashqai

2018 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,782/year

87%

-5%

Ford Kuga

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,856/year

90%

-2%

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About the 2020 BMW 218

The 2020 BMW 218 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,615 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 27,385 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 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 £1,401 per year with petrol at 174.88p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW 218?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,856 (£155/month), broken down as £1,401 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2020 BMW 218

At 6 years old, the BMW 218 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

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 2020 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(2020)	92%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856same
Vauxhall Corsa(2018)	85%	£1,401	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,006+£150
Nissan Qashqai(2018)	87%	£1,177	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,782-£74
Ford Kuga(2018)	90%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 5 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 2020 BMW 218

Is the 2020 BMW 218 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2020 BMW 218s ended in a pass, from 4,615 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 BMW 218 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,856 a year (£155 a month): £1,401 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 2020 BMW 218?

92% of 4,615 MOT tests on the 2020 BMW 218 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1221st of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (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 2020 BMW 218?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 BMW 218 is 27,385 miles, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.