BMW 218i Se Auto: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW 218i Se Auto passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 13.8 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,143 individual BMW 218i Se Auto tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 90.5% first-time pass rate means roughly 10 in every 100 BMW 218i Se Autos presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average BMW 218i Se Auto tested had covered 45,284 miles and was built around 2019.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW 218i Se Auto sits 13.8 points above the national average, ranked 623 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific BMW 218i Se Auto rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged BMW 218i Se Autos at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW 218i Se Auto

1. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.4% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.1% of tests
3. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1% of tests
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1% of tests
5. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.8% of tests
6. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.5% of tests
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.5% of tests
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 0.5% of tests
9. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 0.5% of tests
10. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.4% of tests

From 1,142 DVSA-tracked BMW 218i Se Auto tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.42% of these flagged BMW 218i Se Auto defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW 218i Se Auto

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a BMW 218i Se Auto before it actually fails on it.

1. A tyre seriously damaged, 17% of tests, also fails
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 13.6% of tests, also fails
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 5.9% of tests, also fails
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.7% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 2.4% of tests
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.1% of tests
7. Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended, 0.7% of tests (6.18x the national rate for this advisory)
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.6% of tests
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 0.6% of tests
10. An engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement, 0.4% of tests (7.02x the national rate for this advisory)

From 1,142 DVSA-tracked BMW 218i Se Auto tests, 2024.

BMW 218i Se Auto pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each BMW 218i Se Auto year:

• 2018 BMW 218i Se Auto - 88.6% first-time pass, 263 tests
• 2019 BMW 218i Se Auto - 90.4% first-time pass, 521 tests
• 2020 BMW 218i Se Auto - 93.3% first-time pass, 299 tests

Other BMW models

• BMW 3 Series - 76.8%
• BMW 118 - 81.9%
• BMW 116 - 78.6%
• BMW X1 - 85.2%
• BMW X3 - 82.3%
• BMW X5 - 81.2%
• BMW 1 Series - 81.6%
• BMW 520 - 80.2%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Lexus Gs - 90.5%
• MG Hs Excite - 90.5%
• Kia Sportage Platinum Edition Isg - 90.5%
• Ford Kuga St-Line Ed Eblue Mhev - 90.5%
• Audi E-Tron S Line 50 Quattro - 90.5%
• Vauxhall Crossland X Business Ed Nav T - 90.5%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate