Is the Bmw 318 reliable?

The Bmw 318 has an average MOT pass rate of 83% across 19 years, based on 16,763 tests in 2026. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2006 with a 94% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 318 is best?

The 2006 Bmw 318 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 70%. There's a 24 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 318

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 19 years from 16,763 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

83%

Total Tests

16,763

Best Year

2006 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 318

The Bmw 318 has been tested 16,763 times in 2026 MOT data across 19 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 83%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2006 model is the most reliable with a 94% pass rate from 35 tests. The 2007 model has the lowest at 70%. With a 24 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 318s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 113,579 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 40,912 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 318 is 5 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,637

Per month£136/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Bmw 318?

vs national average+1% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-5% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread24 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 318 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	88%	208	40,912 mi
2020	88%	1,097	49,297 mi
2019	91%	3,098	52,537 mi
2018	89%	5,003	58,152 mi
2017	88%	4,882	68,955 mi
2016	88%	1,595	72,449 mi
2015	89%	80	83,406 mi
2014	88%	69	101,643 mi
2013	80%	46	90,437 mi
2012	77%	88	117,928 mi
2011	81%	119	102,017 mi
2010	79%	97	129,804 mi
2009	72%	74	116,519 mi
2008	75%	89	109,429 mi
2007	70%	73	106,943 mi
2006	94%	35	93,688 mi
1997	75%	32	85,018 mi
1991	83%	40	104,481 mi
1990	76%	38	113,579 mi