2018 BMW 220D: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 BMW 220Ds, from 636 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 BMW 220Ds than on all cars registered in 2018.
- Engine warning light4.5× usualBMW 220D5% All 2018 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
By area
The share of 2018 BMW 220D MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres28% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes15% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension8% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Lights and electrics8% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts3% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors2% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Blocked particulate filter (diesel)Diesel
Diesels mostly used for short trips can block their particulate filter.
At the viewing: Ask how the car was used, and watch for a DPF warning.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability
- Trim and electrical faultsAll engines
Interior trim was the most common complaint in What Car?'s survey, then electrics and infotainment. On the Active Tourer the boot floor panel can come loose and its plastic flaps break.
At the viewing: Check the boot floor and test the screen and electrics.
Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 495 | Tyres 23% |
| 2021 | 705 | Tyres 25% |
| 2020 | 1,062 | Tyres 30% |
| 2019 | 1,050 | Tyres 29% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 BMW 220Ds registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score