How much does a 2016 BMW 518 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 518?

The 2016 BMW 518 has a 88% MOT pass rate based on 509 tests in 2026. This ranks 296 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW 518 is most reliable?

The 2015 BMW 518 has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%. The least reliable year is 1995 at 69%.

BMW 518 (2016)

Q: Is the 2016 BMW 518 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of BMW 518s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 509 tests. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 518?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 518 is 112,019 miles, which is well above the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 509 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £1707/year to run. 6 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 518

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1995cc10 years old509 tests112k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,707

Per month£142/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 518

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 88% of BMW 518s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 509 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 112,019 miles.

Got a BMW 518 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars296th of 586(top 51%)

Rank among BMW models926th of 1,564(top 59%)

vs national average+6%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+3%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+0%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

112,019

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 518 has 112,019 miles on the clock, which is well above the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

Looking at a specific BMW 518?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2015 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2016 sits between the two at 88%.

BMW 518 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2017 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

+3%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

79%

-9%

FORD FOCUS

2018 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+1%

AUDI A3

2015 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

88%

same

Check a Specific Bmw 518

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2016 BMW 518

The 2016 BMW 518 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 509 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 112,019 miles at 10 years old, BMW 518 owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2016 BMW 518 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 518?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 (£142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 518 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 518s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 518

At 10 years old, the BMW 518 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 90%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 518's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 112k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2016 BMW 518 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 518(2016)	88%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£357
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2014)	79%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595-£112
FORD FOCUS(2018)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£207
AUDI A3(2015)	88%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£262

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.