Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

BMW 118 Reliability

The BMW 118 (current generation) scores 79/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
79
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
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Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact BMW 118 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=243142
243,142 UK MOT tests · overall 16.3% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
81
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=134850
134,850 UK MOT tests · overall 19.1% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
76
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 243,142 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 3–5 yrs
81
7.9% fail vs 10.9% fleet
77,054 tests
Age 6–9 yrs
82
13.3% fail vs 19.2% fleet
79,179 tests
Age 10–14 yrs
80
24.2% fail vs 32.1% fleet
55,321 tests
Age 15–20 yrs
79
30.1% fail vs 38.8% fleet
31,588 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Condition
19,020
32.4%
#2
Windscreen
11,270
19.2%
#3
Tread depth
11,245
19.2%
#4
Shock absorbers
9,059
15.5%
#5
Brake pads
8,024
13.7%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

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