BMW 4 Series (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 405 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol2979cc8 years old405 tests26k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Per week£46/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

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

96% of MOT tests on BMW 4 Seriess from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 405 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 25,751 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models78th of 607(top 13%)

Rank among BMW models137th of 1,548(top 9%)

vs average of all models+14%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+7%(89% avg)

vs BMW average+8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

25,751

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 4 Series had 25,751 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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BMW 4 Series by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	96%	124	22,960 mi
2018	96%	405	25,751 mi
2017	92%	129	41,190 mi
2016	85%	61	60,606 mi
2015	87%	68	80,358 mi
2014	88%	738	86,899 mi
2013	86%	1,717	97,268 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 5 Series

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

91%

-5%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

-3%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

-4%

Mercedes GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

-3%

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About the 2018 BMW 4 Series

The 2018 BMW 4 Series is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2979cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 405 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2018 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 25,751 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 4 Series owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 BMW 4 Series Fuel Costs

The 2979cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 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 4 Series?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 4 Series Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 4 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 4 Series

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.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 4 Series 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 4 Series(2018)	96%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413
BMW 5 Series(2018)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2018)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Mercedes GLC(2019)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same

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 4 Series

Is the 2018 BMW 4 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2018 BMW 4 Seriess ended in a pass, from 405 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 BMW 4 Series cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 BMW 4 Series?

96% of 405 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 4 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 78th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top 13%).

Which year BMW 4 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 BMW 4 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2013 the lowest at 86%. 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 4 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 4 Series is 25,751 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.