BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 96 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 8 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.
At 5 years old, 90% of BMW 218I LUXURY AUTOs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 96 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 21,877 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
21,877
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO has 21,877 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2018 model has the lowest at 88%. The 2021 sits between the two at 90%.
BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO
The 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO is a premium with a 1499cc petrol engine. 96 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 77% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 21,877 miles at 5 years old, BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO 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 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO?
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 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO Reliability Trend
The BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO
At 5 years old, the BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 96 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 218I LUXURY AUTO(2021) | 90% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1587 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2019) | 88% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£145 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| MINI COOPER(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
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.
Related Bmw Models
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