BMW 5 Series (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40,272 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2,413/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

£1,958

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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

91% of MOT tests on BMW 5 Seriess from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 40,272 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 63,822 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models235th of 607(top half)

Rank among BMW models540th of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

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

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

63,822

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW 5 Series had 63,822 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 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2018 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

£2,413/year

93%

+2%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

+1%

Mercedes GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+2%

BMW X5

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

+1%

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About the 2018 BMW 5 Series

The 2018 BMW 5 Series is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40,272 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 63,822 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 5 Series owners cover more miles than the average driver.

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 £1,958 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 5 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 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 5 Series Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 5 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 40,272 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2018 BMW 5 Series Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 2,489 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 5 Series that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Tyres50%
Same age: 29% (fails on this more often)
Suspension14%
Same age: 19% (fails on this less often)
Exhaust, emissions and leaks11%
Same age: 8.7%
Lights and electrics10%
Same age: 27% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · BMW 5 Series reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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 5 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 5 Series(2018)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413
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
BMW X5(2019)	92%	£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 5 Series

Is the 2018 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2018 BMW 5 Seriess ended in a pass, from 40,272 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 BMW 5 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 5 Series?

91% of 40,272 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 5 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 235th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top half).

Which year BMW 5 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 5 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 1999 the lowest at 71%. 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 5 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 BMW 5 Series is 63,822 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.