Petrol BMW 318: MOT pass rate

84.6% of petrol BMW 318s pass the MOT first time, measured across 4,159 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 59,658.

Petrol against the other BMW 318 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the BMW 318 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 86.3%, and this petrol version sits 0.9 points below 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 petrol BMW 318 had covered 59,658 miles at test, against 67,393 for the diesel. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

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 petrol BMW 318

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2% of tests (2.06x the national rate for this defect)
2. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.6% of tests (2.03x the national rate for this defect)
3. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.6% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 1.9% of tests
6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.6% of tests
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.2% of tests
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.1% of tests
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.1% of tests
10. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.1% of tests

From 4,146 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 318 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 318's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 7.65% 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 petrol BMW 318

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

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 1.2% of tests (2.07x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.9% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect)
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 13.6% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 5.1% of tests (1.31x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 7.6% of tests
7. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.5% of tests, also fails
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.3% of tests, also fails
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 4.1% of tests
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.6% of tests

From 4,146 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 318 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 318 fuel types

• Diesel BMW 318 - 86.3%

All BMW 318 MOT data · Every model