BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO (2020)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,369 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Petrol
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 11 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 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.
At 6 years old, 93% of BMW 218I M SPORT AUTOs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,369 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 31,024 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
31,024
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO has 31,024 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 2022 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2019 model has the lowest at 91%. The 2020 sits between the two at 93%.
BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO
The 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO is a premium with a 1499cc petrol engine. 4,369 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 31,024 miles at 6 years old, BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2020 BMW 218I M SPORT 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 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT 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 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO Reliability Trend
The BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT AUTO
At 6 years old, the BMW 218I M SPORT 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT 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 2020 BMW 218I M SPORT 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 M SPORT AUTO(2020) | 93% | £1137 | £195 | Grp 12-25 | £1587 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019) | 92% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£5 |
| VAUXHALL CORSA(2018) | 85% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 8-20 | £1732+£145 |
| NISSAN QASHQAI(2018) | 87% | £955 | £190 | Grp 5-15 | £1550-£37 |
| FORD KUGA(2018) | 90% | £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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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
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NISSAN QASHQAI
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