How much does a 2017 BMW 518 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 BMW 518?

The 2017 BMW 518 has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 33 tests in 2026. This ranks 501 out of 579 cars from 2017.

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 (2017)

Q: Is the 2017 BMW 518 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of BMW 518s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 33 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2017 BMW 518?

The average mileage for a 2017 BMW 518 is 93,782 miles, which is above the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 33 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,637

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1637/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1995cc9 years old33 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,637

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/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

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 9 years old, 82% of BMW 518s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 33 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,782 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars501th of 579(top 87%)

Rank among BMW models1294th of 1,564(top 83%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 2017 cars average-5%(87% avg)

vs BMW average-6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,782

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW 518 has 93,782 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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?

The most reliable year is the 2015 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2017 sits between the two at 82%.

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%

+9%

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+7%

AUDI A3

2015 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

88%

+6%

FORD TRANSIT

2017 · 1995cc Diesel

£1,632/year

81%

-1%

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About the 2017 BMW 518

The 2017 BMW 518 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 33 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 87% of 2017 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 93,782 miles at 9 years old, BMW 518 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2017 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 2017 BMW 518?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% 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 2017 BMW 518

At 9 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 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 90%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 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.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k 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 2017 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(2017)	82%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1637
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£287
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£137
AUDI A3(2015)	88%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£192
FORD TRANSIT(2017)	81%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632-£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.