BMW 318 Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the BMW 318 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 16,763 MOT tests across 14 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
88%
BMW 318 pass rate
88%
BMW average
82%
All-model average
The BMW 318 has an average MOT pass rate of 88%, which is equal to the BMW average and 6 points above the average across all models in our data. Newer BMW 318s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 3 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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What the BMW 318 Fails Its MOT On
Of the 1,492 MOT tests on the BMW 318 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
36%Cars and vans the same age: 28% (the 318 fails on this more often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Lights and electrics
24%Cars and vans the same age: 28% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
20%Cars and vans the same age: 20% · Typical repair £80-£450
Suspension
17%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the 318 fails on this less often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
12%Cars and vans the same age: 16% (the 318 fails on this less often) · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (16% of failed tests, tyres)
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (12% of failed tests, brakes)
- Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (11% of failed tests, suspension)
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 318 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 318 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
- 2020: 88% passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars (4 points lower, 1,097 tests)
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 318 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.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 13% | - |
| 2020 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 11% | 92% (-4) |
| 2019 | Petrol | 1.5L | 91% | 9% | 91% (0) |
| 2018 | Petrol | 1.5L | 89% | 11% | 89% (0) |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 11% | 87% (+1) |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 12% | 86% (+2) |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.0L | 89% | 9% | - |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 12% | - |
| 2012 | Petrol | 2.0L | 77% | 22% | - |
| 2011 | Petrol | 2.0L | 81% | 18% | - |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.0L | 79% | 20% | - |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.0L | 72% | 23% | - |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.0L | 75% | 25% | - |
| 2007 | Petrol | 2.0L | 70% | 22% | - |
BMW 318 Running Costs
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BMW 318 FAQ
What are the most common BMW 318 problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the BMW 318 that failed at the first attempt most often failed on tyres (36% of the 1,492 failed tests), lights and electrics (24%) and brakes (20%). The single most common fault was "Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit" (16%). Across 16,763 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 88% ended in a pass.
Is the BMW 318 reliable?
The BMW 318 has an average MOT pass rate of 88%, from 16,763 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 318 years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2020 (88% of 1,097 tests passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. 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 318 faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a BMW 318 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.
Check a Specific BMW 318
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Other BMW Models
Common problems pages for other BMW models