Used car guide · 2019–2024

BMW 118i F40: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the BMW 118i F40 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 107,757 MOT tests.

2021best year: 91% pass first time, 4 points above all 2021 cars
2020weakest year: 89% pass first time, 2 points above all 2020 cars

Which BMW 118i F40 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the BMW 118i F40, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

70%85%100%2019: 86% pass first time (all 2019 cars: 85%) 86% 2019*2020: 89% pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%) 89% 20202021: 91% pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%) 91% 20212022: 92% pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%) 92% 20222023: 94% pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%) 94% 2023
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2019*86%85% +1Nothing unusual25,440
202089%87% +2Nothing unusual47,771
202191%87% +4Nothing unusual23,602
202292%89% +3Nothing unusual10,128
202394%92% +2Nothing unusual816

What usually goes wrong with the BMW 118i F40?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Electrical and warning light faults

    The main faults reported are electrical: warning lights with no clear cause and infotainment faults.

    Check: Test the screen and check no warning lights stay on.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

  • Particulate filter warnings (diesel)

    Diesels have more problems, including DPF warnings and engine management faults.

    Check: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

  • Airbag and camshaft recalls (2020)

    Recalls covered the driver's airbag fabric (about 1,100 cars) and camshaft bearing cap screws that could come loose (39 cars).

    Check: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a BMW 118i?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.