BMW 218 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,687 MOT tests from 200 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 218 has the same fault.

BMW 218's have a extremely good reliability rating of 771/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 218 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 218 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	840/999Excellent	71,176 miles	2,584 vehicles
N/A	N/A	800/999Excellent	80,353 miles	1,636 vehicles
N/A	N/A	767/999Very good	75,503 miles	3,937 vehicles
N/A	N/A	757/999Very good	77,543 miles	2,713 vehicles
N/A	N/A	751/999Very good	76,713 miles	2,715 vehicles
N/A	N/A	750/999Very good	82,750 miles	1,102 vehicles
N/A	N/A	734/999Very good	76,124 miles	3,792 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 218?

Based on 1,687 MOT tests from 200 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

200

MOT tests

1,687

Pass rate

84.5%

Median mileage

69,282 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 218 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 755 out of 999.

Common BMW 218 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 351 advisory comments and 54 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 FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 106 advisory comments and 12 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 90 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: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 22 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))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 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 NOT WORKING (3.5 (A))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 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 an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

BMW 218 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
2020	5	20	85%	Tyre wear
2019	17	92	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	25	182	80.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	41	342	84.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	55	495	86.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	45	424	84.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	10	125	79.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 218

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.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a BMW 218?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 218s 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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