BMW 218I M Sport Auto Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the BMW 218I M Sport Auto fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 15,789 MOT tests across 5 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Petrol
92%
BMW 218I M Sport Auto pass rate
88%
BMW average
82%
All-model average
The BMW 218I M Sport Auto has an average MOT pass rate of 92%, which is 4 points above the BMW average and 10 points above the average across all models in our data. The BMW 218I M Sport Auto has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
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What the BMW 218I M Sport Auto Fails Its MOT On
Of the 1,181 MOT tests on the BMW 218I M Sport Auto that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Tyres
51%Cars and vans the same age: 38% (the 218I M Sport Auto fails on this more often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Lights and electrics
20%Cars and vans the same age: 22% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
11%Cars and vans the same age: 15% (the 218I M Sport Auto fails on this less often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
9.5%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the 218I M Sport Auto fails on this less often) · Typical repair £10-£350
Suspension
5.7%Cars and vans the same age: 9% (the 218I M Sport Auto fails on this less often) · Typical repair £150-£600
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Tyre has a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords (22% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (9.8% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre has a bulge from separation or failure of its structure (8.8% of failed tests, tyres)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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BMW 218I M Sport Auto Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each 218I M Sport Auto year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
BMW 218I M Sport Auto Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
BMW 218I M Sport Auto Running Costs
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BMW 218I M Sport Auto FAQ
What are the most common BMW 218I M Sport Auto problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the BMW 218I M Sport Auto that failed at the first attempt most often failed on tyres (51% of the 1,181 failed tests), lights and electrics (20%) and brakes (11%). The single most common fault was "Tyre has a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords" (22%). Across 15,789 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 92% ended in a pass.
Is the BMW 218I M Sport Auto reliable?
The BMW 218I M Sport Auto has an average MOT pass rate of 92%, from 15,789 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed about as often as other cars of the same age.
Which BMW 218I M Sport Auto years should I avoid?
No BMW 218I M Sport Auto year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common BMW 218I M Sport Auto faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a BMW 218I M Sport Auto typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other BMW Models
Common problems pages for other BMW models