BMW 218I SE (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 721 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc8 years old721 tests41k 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

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

91% of MOT tests on BMW 218I SEs from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 721 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 40,911 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models270th of 607(top half)

Rank among BMW models594th of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+2%(89% avg)

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,911

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 218I SE had 40,911 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 92%, while the 2019 model has the lowest at 89%. The 2018 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

BMW 218I SE by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	91%	56	23,840 mi
2020	92%	475	30,650 mi
2019	89%	1,958	39,759 mi
2018	91%	721	40,911 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-10%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-5%

Vauxhall Astra

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,600/year

85%

-6%

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About the 2018 BMW 218I SE

The 2018 BMW 218I SE is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 721 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 40,911 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218I SE owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 BMW 218I SE 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 2018 BMW 218I SE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 218I SE Reliability Trend

The BMW 218I SE has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 218I SE

At 8 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

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 2018 BMW 218I SE 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 SE(2018)	91%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£73
Vauxhall Astra(2016)	85%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£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 2018 BMW 218I SE

Is the 2018 BMW 218I SE reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2018 BMW 218I SEs ended in a pass, from 721 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 BMW 218I SE cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 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 2018 BMW 218I SE?

91% of 721 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 218I SE ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 270th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top half).

Which year BMW 218I SE has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 218I SE has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2019 the lowest at 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 BMW 218I SE?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 218I SE is 40,911 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.