Is the 2006 BMW 318 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW 318s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 35 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2006 BMW 318 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 BMW 318?

The 2006 BMW 318 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 35 tests in 2026. This ranks 20 out of 575 cars from 2006.

Which year BMW 318 is most reliable?

The 2019 BMW 318 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 2007 at 70%.

BMW 318 (2006)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2006 BMW 318?

The average mileage for a 2006 BMW 318 is 93,688 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 35 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1995cc20 years old35 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/wk

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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 20 years old, 94% of BMW 318s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 35 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,688 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars20th of 575(top 3%)

Rank among BMW models317th of 1,564(top 20%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2006 cars average+21%(73% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,688

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 BMW 318 has 93,688 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2006 sits between the two at 94%.

BMW 318 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2008 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-21%

BMW 3 SERIES

2007 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-14%

MINI MINI

2008 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

74%

-20%

RENAULT CLIO

2007 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

68%

-26%

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About the 2006 BMW 318

The 2006 BMW 318 is a premium with a 1995cc petrol engine. 35 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 2006 cars for reliability.

With an average of 93,688 miles at 20 years old, BMW 318 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 BMW 318 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2006 BMW 318?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 318 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2006 BMW 318

At 20 years old, the BMW 318 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. Note: with only 35 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 BMW 318's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 20 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2006 BMW 318 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 318(2006)	94%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
FORD FOCUS(2008)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
MINI MINI(2008)	74%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
RENAULT CLIO(2007)	68%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£320

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.