BMW 218I M Sport (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,596 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,086
£174/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 18-32
1998cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 8 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.
90% of MOT tests on BMW 218I M Sports from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 4,596 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 27,421 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
27,421
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 BMW 218I M Sport had 27,421 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
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Best Year to Buy?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2019 model has the lowest at 90%. The 2021 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
BMW 218I M Sport by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 BMW 218I M Sport
The 2021 BMW 218I M Sport is a premium car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,596 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 27,421 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218I M Sport owners cover more miles than the average driver.
2021 BMW 218I M Sport Fuel Costs
The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 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 2021 BMW 218I M Sport?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 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 M Sport Reliability Trend
The BMW 218I M Sport has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
Buying a Used 2021 BMW 218I M Sport
At 5 years old, the BMW 218I M Sport 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.
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 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 M Sport 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 218I M Sport(2021) | 90% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| MINI Cooper(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Hyundai Tucson(2019) | 90% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
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 2021 BMW 218I M Sport
Is the 2021 BMW 218I M Sport reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2021 BMW 218I M Sports ended in a pass, from 4,596 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 BMW 218I M Sport cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 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 2021 BMW 218I M Sport?
90% of 4,596 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 218I M Sport ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2404th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).
Which year BMW 218I M Sport has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 218I M Sport has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2019 the lowest at 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.
What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW 218I M Sport?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 218I M Sport is 27,421 miles, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
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