BMW 518
From 4,026 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 518s fare better: 2016 models pass at 86.5% vs 77.9% for 2013.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 124 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 | 124 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 73 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 66 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 55 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 48 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 47 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 46 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 39 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 38 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 31 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 49.4% of failures are serious: 36.5% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 12.9% 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 £98.
Fuel type matters
Diesel versions pass at 84.1% while Petrol versions pass at 67.9%, a 16 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 86.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2015 | 85.9% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 84.7% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 77.9% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 518s tested had between 91,590 and 137,388 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 111,240 median miles, the 518 has 0.016 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 518 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 518 has a 82.7% MOT pass rate based on 4,026 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 518?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 518 is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 124 failures. Other common issues include a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 518 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 518 is 111,240 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 91,590 and 137,388 miles.
Buying a used 518?
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.
With a 82.7% pass rate and an average repair bill of £98 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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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.