BMW 118 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 8,498 MOT tests from 917 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 118 has the same fault.

BMW 118's have a very good reliability rating of 673/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 118 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 118 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	889/999Excellent	71,083 miles	2,932 vehicles
N/A	N/A	834/999Excellent	70,120 miles	4,984 vehicles
N/A	N/A	781/999Very good	76,689 miles	1,834 vehicles
N/A	N/A	755/999Very good	74,832 miles	5,930 vehicles
N/A	N/A	739/999Very good	74,082 miles	2,908 vehicles
N/A	N/A	735/999Very good	77,077 miles	3,759 vehicles
N/A	N/A	717/999Very good	82,388 miles	1,862 vehicles
N/A	N/A	714/999Very good	74,219 miles	4,069 vehicles
N/A	N/A	678/999Good	75,170 miles	3,730 vehicles
N/A	N/A	651/999Good	98,985 miles	596 vehicles
N/A	N/A	582/999Above average	85,678 miles	636 vehicles
N/A	N/A	537/999Above average	78,592 miles	3,880 vehicles
N/A	N/A	522/999Above average	80,960 miles	3,596 vehicles
N/A	N/A	516/999Above average	75,830 miles	748 vehicles
N/A	N/A	438/999Average	79,667 miles	1,352 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 118?

Based on 8,498 MOT tests from 917 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

917

MOT tests

8,498

Pass rate

82.9%

Median mileage

74,305 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 118 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 748 out of 999.

Common BMW 118 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,469 advisory comments and 252 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 418 advisory comments and 59 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 285 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 105 advisory comments and 119 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 187 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 103 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 36 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (3.5 (A))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 34 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

BMW 118 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2024	26	4	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	42	40	92.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022	29	63	88.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	45	149	86.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	68	321	86.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	54	302	88.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	86	594	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	100	859	84.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	99	853	85.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	80	793	83.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	30	356	82.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	28	328	83.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	30	440	81.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	46	700	80%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2010	52	878	79.7%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2009	23	407	79.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2008	18	322	81.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2007	18	371	79%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	16	313	83.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	7	166	78.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 118

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a BMW 118?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 118s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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