BMW 518

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 9 model years from 3,951 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

78%

Total Tests

3,951

Highest Pass Rate

2015 (90%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 518

The BMW 518 was MOT tested 3,951 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 9 model years (1990 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 78%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 90% from 1,003 tests. The 2013 model has the lowest at 82%. The 8 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 518s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 88,970 miles, while the newest (2017) averages 93,782 miles.

Compared to the BMW brand average of 88%, the 518 is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable BMW models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

£1,397

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,002

Per month£167/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2017 details

How reliable is the BMW 518?

vs average of all models-4% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-10% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread8 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW 518 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	82%	33	93,782 mi
2016	88%	509	112,019 mi
2015	90%	1,003	120,415 mi
2014	87%	1,559	126,361 mi
2013	82%	621	122,687 mi
1995	69%	90	120,162 mi
1994	71%	58	140,924 mi
1992	65%	40	129,755 mi
1990	71%	38	88,970 mi

Questions about the BMW 518

Is the BMW 518 reliable?

Across its 9 model years in our data (1990 to 2017), the BMW 518 averages a 78% MOT pass rate, from 3,951 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2015 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 90%.

Which year BMW 518 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2015 BMW 518 has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 82%, a 8 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.