BMW 218I SE (2019)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,958 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1499cc7 years old1,958 tests40k 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

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

89% of MOT tests on BMW 218I SEs from 2019 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 5 years old. That's based on 1,958 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,759 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2019 models912th of 1,380(bottom half)

Rank among BMW models797th of 1,548(bottom half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2019 models average-1%(90% avg)

vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,759

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2019 BMW 218I SE had 39,759 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. 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

Ford Focus

2017 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,003/year

89%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2017 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

82%

-7%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+3%

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About the 2019 BMW 218I SE

The 2019 BMW 218I SE is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,958 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2019, the average MOT pass rate is 90%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 39,759 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218I SE owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2019 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 2019 BMW 218I SE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2019 BMW 218I SE

At 7 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.

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 2019 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(2019)	89%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003
Ford Focus(2017)	89%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003same
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£223
Vauxhall Corsa(2017)	82%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003same
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£150

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 2019 BMW 218I SE

Is the 2019 BMW 218I SE reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2019 BMW 218I SEs ended in a pass, from 1,958 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2019 BMW 218I SE cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2019 BMW 218I SE?

89% of 1,958 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 218I SE ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 912th of 1,380 models first registered in 2019 (bottom 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 2019 BMW 218I SE?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 218I SE is 39,759 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.