Is the 2018 BMW 5 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 40,272 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 BMW 5 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 BMW 5 SERIES?

The 2018 BMW 5 SERIES has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 40,272 tests in 2026. This ranks 263 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year BMW 5 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2023 BMW 5 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 71%.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 BMW 5 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2018 BMW 5 SERIES is 63,822 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 5 SERIES (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 40,272 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol2998cc8 years old40,272 tests64k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

At 8 years old, 91% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 40,272 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 63,822 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars263th of 649(top 41%)

Rank among BMW models543th of 1,564(top 35%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+2%(89% avg)

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

63,822

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 5 SERIES has 63,822 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2023 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2018 sits between the two at 91%.

BMW 5 SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	98%	185	24,552 mi
2022	96%	586	33,834 mi
2021	93%	4,081	35,046 mi
2020	92%	9,409	40,517 mi
2019	92%	33,766	52,218 mi
2018	91%	40,272	63,822 mi
2017	90%	28,884	73,845 mi
2016	91%	104	58,170 mi
2015	93%	135	77,391 mi
2014	88%	495	96,084 mi
2013	83%	12,106	116,962 mi
2012	83%	12,364	124,375 mi
2011	83%	2,348	129,743 mi
2010	83%	1,299	135,211 mi
2009	83%	1,296	149,453 mi
2008	83%	1,682	154,421 mi
2007	81%	1,827	159,927 mi
2006	80%	1,465	158,383 mi
2005	76%	866	156,443 mi
2004	78%	555	149,786 mi
2003	77%	437	139,654 mi
2002	78%	330	147,542 mi
2001	81%	217	138,008 mi
2000	75%	179	151,070 mi
1999	71%	224	143,099 mi
1998	80%	184	126,519 mi
1997	79%	94	129,696 mi
1996	78%	55	148,837 mi
1995	77%	60	147,066 mi
1994	84%	51	134,866 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+2%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

+1%

MERCEDES GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+2%

BMW X5

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

+1%

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About the 2018 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2018 BMW 5 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2998cc petrol engine. 40,272 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 63,822 miles at 8 years old, BMW 5 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 BMW 5 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2998cc 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 £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 BMW 5 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 5 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 5 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 5 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 40,272 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 BMW 5 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 5 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 5 SERIES(2018)	91%	£1592	£195	Grp 30-42	£2042
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2018)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
MERCEDES GLC(2019)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X5(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5

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.