BMW 318 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 5,003 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 old5,003 tests58k 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 318s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 5,003 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 58,152 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models373rd of 607(bottom half)

Rank among BMW models781st 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

58,152

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 318 had 58,152 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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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 91%, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 81%. The 2018 scores 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

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 318

The 2018 BMW 318 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 5,003 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight 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 58,152 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 318 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2018 BMW 318 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 318?

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 318 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 318s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 3 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 318

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. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. With 5,003 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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 318 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 318(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 318

Is the 2018 BMW 318 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2018 BMW 318s ended in a pass, from 5,003 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 318 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 318?

89% of 5,003 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 318 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 373rd of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

Which year BMW 318 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 BMW 318 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2011 the lowest at 81%. 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 318?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 318 is 58,152 miles, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.