1998 BMW 318i Se Touring MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 318i Se Touring models manufactured in 1998, based on 326 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 318i Se Touring cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring vintage page → (18.8% current pass rate)1998 BMW 318i Se Touring MOT Analysis
The 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring has an MOT pass rate of 42.3% based on 326 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 129,852 miles on the odometer. With a 57.7% failure rate, the 1998 318i Se Touring is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 1.8% 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 1.2%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions follows at 0.9%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall 318i Se Touring 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 | 1.8% | 6 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.2% | 4 |
| 3 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Registration Plates And Vin | 0.6% | 2 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 0.6% | 2 |
| 6 | Non-component Advisories | 0.3% | 1 |
| 7 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 129,852 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.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.14 | 1.8% | 6 |
| Tyres | 0.09 | 1.2% | 4 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.07 | 0.9% | 3 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.05 | 0.6% | 2 |
| Visibility | 0.05 | 0.6% | 2 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.02 | 0.3% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.02 | 0.3% | 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 Touring has an MOT pass rate of 42.3% based on 326 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 129,852 miles on the odometer. With a 57.7% failure rate, the 1998 318i Se Touring is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. 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 129,852 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 1.8% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring 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 — 1.2% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring 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.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 0.9% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW 318i Se Touring models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.