BMW 118d — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 118d passed 81.2% of its 432,071 MOT tests, covering model years 2004–2025. That is 2.8 percentage points worse than the 16.0% fail rate across all BMW 1 Series versions, so the 118d is a weaker pick within the range. Failures concentrate in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 20,214 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.9% once past 150k — 3.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,380 | 71.9% | 28.1% |
| 2005 | 10,873 | 74.3% | 25.8% |
| 2006 | 15,558 | 75.6% | 24.4% |
| 2007 | 18,297 | 76.5% | 23.5% |
| 2008 | 30,100 | 76.5% | 23.5% |
| 2009 | 41,718 | 77.1% | 22.9% |
| 2010 | 56,530 | 78.1% | 21.9% |
| 2011 | 51,696 | 79.6% | 20.4% |
| 2012 | 30,525 | 78.9% | 21.1% |
| 2013 | 29,225 | 82.3% | 17.7% |
| 2014 | 22,325 | 83.8% | 16.2% |
| 2015 | 28,161 | 86.4% | 13.6% |
| 2016 | 31,035 | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 2017 | 31,352 | 88.4% | 11.6% |
| 2018 | 14,219 | 88.4% | 11.6% |
| 2019 | 7,759 | 89.2% | 10.8% |
| 2020 | 6,697 | 90.3% | 9.7% |
| 2021 | 3,038 | 91.1% | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 552 | 92.4% | 7.6% |
| 2023 | 30 | 96.7% | 3.3% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 37,525 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.8% | 29,466 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 27,480 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.1% | 26,311 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 18,246 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 6,793 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 6,443 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.0% | 4,235 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 20,214 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 19,679 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 19,297 |
| 4 | Washers | 13,297 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 11,933 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 9,585 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.3% | 118,001 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 112,324 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.6% | 80,546 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.2% | 39,879 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 24,798 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 24,369 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 18,135 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 72,275 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 103,676 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 108,683 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 78,282 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 50,911 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91,950 | 18.0% |
| 2022 | 90,561 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 88,362 | 19.0% |
| 2024 | 83,506 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 77,692 | 19.0% |
What to check before buying a BMW 118d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Lighting & signalling (8.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (6.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is the BMW 118d at MOT time?
81.2% of the 432,071 BMW 118d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate, worse than the 16.0% average across all 1 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 118d?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by tyres (6.8%).
Does the 118d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 432,071 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.