BMW 518d — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 518d passed 86.5% of its 12,489 MOT tests, covering model years 1985–2018. That is 2.3 percentage points better than the 15.7% fail rate across all BMW 5 Series versions, so the 518d is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and coil spring — tread depth alone was recorded 537 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.3% versus 8.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,959 | 83.2% | 16.8% |
| 2014 | 5,278 | 85.9% | 14.1% |
| 2015 | 3,276 | 88.0% | 12.0% |
| 2016 | 1,785 | 89.6% | 10.4% |
| 2017 | 135 | 85.9% | 14.1% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 750 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.8% | 469 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 405 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 355 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.5% | 314 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.1% | 141 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 139 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.5% | 61 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 537 |
| 2 | Wipers | 288 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 259 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 258 |
| 5 | Washers | 237 |
| 6 | Attachment | 171 |
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 | 24.7% | 3,085 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 2,271 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.7% | 1,081 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.3% | 780 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 539 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 307 |
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 | 95 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,091 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,913 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 3,633 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 2,582 | 13.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,174 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,595 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 2,565 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 2,520 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 2,444 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 2,365 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a BMW 518d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.0% 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.
- Visibility (3.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (3.2% 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 518d at MOT time?
86.5% of the 12,489 BMW 518d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate, better than the 15.7% average across all 5 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 518d?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by visibility (3.8%).
Does the 518d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,489 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.