Diesel BMW 318: MOT pass rate

86.3% of diesel BMW 318s pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,890 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 67,393.

Diesel against the other BMW 318 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 318 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 86.3%, and this diesel version sits 0.8 points above the 85.5% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW 318 had covered 67,393 miles at test, against 59,658 for the petrol. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 318 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 318

1. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.6% of tests (2.88x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.4% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
3. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.4% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.1% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.7% of tests
6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.5% of tests
7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.4% of tests
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.2% of tests
9. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.1% of tests
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.9% of tests

From 4,887 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 318 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 318's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.58% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 318

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.7% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
2. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13.6% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.8% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 32.4% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.2% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.7% of tests
7. A tyre seriously damaged, 5.7% of tests, also fails
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 3.2% of tests
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2.8% of tests, also fails
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.8% of tests

From 4,887 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 318 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 318 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 318 - 84.6%

All BMW 318 MOT data · Every model