BMW 318
From 13,436 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 318s fare better: 2021 models pass at 87% vs 81.6% for 2016.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 359 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.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 359 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 208 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 181 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 149 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 115 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 111 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 96 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 89 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 86 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 50 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.5% of 318 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 41.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £106.
The warranty question
A 3-year-old 318 passes its MOT 88.2% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 81.6%, a 6.6 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. With an average repair bill of £106 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a 318 that's past its third birthday.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87% | a tyre seriously damaged, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2020 | 88.2% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2019 | 90% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2018 | 86.8% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
2 earlier years
| 2017 | 86.2% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm |
| 2016 | 81.6% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all 318s tested had between 49,267 and 96,912 miles on the clock.
At 80,401 median miles, the 318 has 0.017 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 318 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 318 has a 86.1% MOT pass rate based on 13,436 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 318?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 318 is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 359 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 318 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 318 is 80,401 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 49,267 and 96,912 miles.
Buying a used 318?
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.