BMW 418
From 1,939 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 418s fare better: 2017 models pass at 87.4% vs 83.2% for 2015.
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 41 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 | 41 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 36 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 33 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 28 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 19 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 17 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 17 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 17 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 16 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 15 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 50.2% of failures are serious: 36% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 14.2% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £91.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 87.4% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud |
| 2016 | 87.8% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2015 | 83.2% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2014 | 88.1% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all 418s tested had between 64,899 and 111,031 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 85,361 median miles, the 418 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 418 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 418 has a 85.7% MOT pass rate based on 1,939 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 418?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 418 is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 41 failures. Other common issues include a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 418 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 418 is 85,361 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 64,899 and 111,031 miles.
Buying a used 418?
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.