BMW 218I SE (2020)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 475 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,587
£132/month
MOT Pass Rate
92%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1499cc Petrol
Great Choice
92% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 10 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 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.
At 6 years old, 92% of BMW 218I SEs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 475 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 30,650 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
30,650
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2020 BMW 218I SE has 30,650 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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BMW 218I SE by Year
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About the 2020 BMW 218I SE
The 2020 BMW 218I SE is a premium with a 1499cc petrol engine. 475 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.
With an average of 30,650 miles at 6 years old, BMW 218I SE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2020 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 £1,137 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 SE?
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 92% 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 2 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2020 BMW 218I SE
At 6 years old, the BMW 218I SE offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2020 BMW 218I SE'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 SE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 218I SE(2020) | 92% | £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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