2020 BMW 318: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW 318 first registered in 2020: we looked at the 457 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 457 MOTs of these cars during 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
Common 2020 BMW 318 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 BMW 318 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres25% 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.
- Brakes18% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension4% 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 electrics3% 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.
Known faults on the 2020 BMW 318
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.
- All engines
Electrical and infotainment glitches
In What Car?'s survey 13% of petrol and plug-in hybrid cars had a fault, mostly minor electrical, engine and infotainment glitches.
At the viewing: Test the infotainment and all the electrics, and make sure no warning lights show.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 BMW 318
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW 318?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW 318 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 389 | Tyres 25% |
| 2021 | 1,463 | Tyres 28% |
| 2019 | 1,521 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 2,816 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 2,666 | Tyres 28% |
| 2016 | 818 | Tyres 28% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 318 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score