BMW 218I Sport Auto (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 171 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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Petrol1499cc8 years old171 tests35k 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 Sport Autos from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 171 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 35,131 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models388th of 607(bottom half)

Rank among BMW models844th of 1,548(bottom half)

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

vs 2018 models average+0%(89% avg)

vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,131

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto had 35,131 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, 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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2018 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 Sport Auto by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	91%	1,204	27,159 mi
2020	92%	314	32,079 mi
2019	93%	422	34,744 mi
2018	89%	171	35,131 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-8%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-2%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

Vauxhall Astra

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,600/year

85%

-4%

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About the 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto

The 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 171 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 35,131 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 218I Sport Auto owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 BMW 218I 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 £1,398 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 Sport Auto?

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 Sport Auto Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto

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.

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 Sport Auto 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 Sport Auto(2018)	89%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003same
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£223
Vauxhall Astra(2016)	85%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£403

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 Sport Auto

Is the 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2018 BMW 218I Sport Autos ended in a pass, from 171 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 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto 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 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto?

89% of 171 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 388th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

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

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 BMW 218I Sport Auto has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2018 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 Sport Auto?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 218I Sport Auto is 35,131 miles, 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.