Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

BMW 318 Reliability

The BMW 318 (current generation) scores 77/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
77
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
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Buying a BMW 318? Check its VIN history first

Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact BMW 318 you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

carVertical is our one disclosed affiliate partner — we earn a commission if you buy a report. It doesn't affect our reliability scores, which come from TÜV, ADAC, DVSA MOT and NHTSA data.

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=14302
14,302 UK MOT tests · overall 13.0% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
79
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=8760
8,760 UK MOT tests · overall 12.7% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
75
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 14,302 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 35 yrs
70
10.9% fail vs 10.9% fleet
3,864 tests
Age 69 yrs
83
13.1% fail vs 19.2% fleet
9,902 tests
Age 1014 yrs
81
23.6% fail vs 32.1% fleet
318 tests
Age 1520 yrs
81
28.0% fail vs 38.8% fleet
218 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Tread depth
735
25.5%
#2
Condition
658
22.8%
#3
Windscreen
640
22.2%
#4
Brake pads
507
17.6%
#5
Shock absorbers
342
11.9%

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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