BMW 218
From 81,702 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 218s fare better: 2021 models pass at 95.3% vs 81.7% for 2014.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 1,952 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 1,952 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 1,341 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 902 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 633 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 610 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 603 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 562 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 472 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 363 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 345 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.6% of 218 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 10.7% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £97.
The warranty question
A new 218 passes its MOT 90.4% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 84.3%, a 6.1 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. With an average repair bill of £97 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a 218 that's past its third birthday.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2020 | 90.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2019 | 89.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 89% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
4 earlier years
| 2017 | 85.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 84.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 84% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2014 | 81.7% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 218s tested had between 32,582 and 68,537 miles on the clock.
At 47,207 median miles, the 218 has 0.029 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 218 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 218 has a 86.1% MOT pass rate based on 81,702 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 218?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 218 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 1,952 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 218 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 218 is 47,207 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 32,582 and 68,537 miles.
Buying a used 218?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.