BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 46 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 39.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 46 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.9% and a failure rate of 39.1%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto earns a "Average" reliability rating. The average BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto presents for MOT with approximately 77,787 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto is Suspension, affecting 32.6% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 28.3%. Tyres rounds out the top three at 26.1%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.0% | 17 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 30.4% | 14 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.4% | 14 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 26.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 23.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Brakes | 13.0% | 6 |
| 7 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.2% | 1 |
| 8 | Non-component Advisories | 2.2% | 1 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 77,787 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.75 | 37.0% | 17 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.91 | 30.4% | 14 |
| Tyres | 3.91 | 30.4% | 14 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.35 | 26.1% | 12 |
| Visibility | 3.07 | 23.9% | 11 |
| Brakes | 1.68 | 13.0% | 6 |
| Body & Structure | 0.28 | 2.2% | 1 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.28 | 2.2% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.28 | 2.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto has 77,787 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.03% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto MOT Data
The BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 46 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 60.9% and a failure rate of 39.1%, which is around the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 318ti Se Compact Auto is likely to perform.
Suspension — 32.6% of failures
Suspension issues account for 32.6% of MOT failures on the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 28.3% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 28.3% of MOT failures on the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto. 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 — 26.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 26.1% of MOT failures on the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto?
Based on 46 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto has an overall pass rate of 60.9% (39.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto?
The top 3 reasons a BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (32.6%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (28.3%), 3. Tyres (26.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto reliable?
With a 39.1% MOT failure rate, the 318ti Se Compact Auto is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW 318ti Se Compact Auto?
Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (32.6%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (28.3%); Tyres (26.1%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.