1998 BMW 318i Se Auto MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 318i Se Auto models manufactured in 1998, based on 413 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 318i Se Auto cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto vintage page → (40.6% current pass rate)1998 BMW 318i Se Auto MOT Analysis
The 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto has an MOT pass rate of 56.7% based on 413 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 98,829 miles on the odometer. With a 43.3% failure rate, the 1998 318i Se Auto is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 1.0% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Tyres is the second most common issue at 1.0%. Brakes follows at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall 318i Se Auto page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.0% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.0% | 4 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.7% | 3 |
| 4 | Non-component Advisories | 0.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.2% | 1 |
| 6 | Road Wheels | 0.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 98,829 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.10 | 1.0% | 4 |
| Tyres | 0.10 | 1.0% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.07 | 0.7% | 3 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.05 | 0.5% | 2 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.02 | 0.2% | 1 |
| Wheels | 0.02 | 0.2% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto has an MOT pass rate of 56.7% based on 413 tests — slightly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 98,829 miles on the odometer. With a 43.3% failure rate, the 1998 318i Se Auto is rated as "Below Average" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto, budget for potential repairs before each MOT. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With an average mileage of 98,829 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 1.0% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Tyres — 1.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Brakes — 0.7% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Auto models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.