Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW 118?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 BMW 118?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 BMW 118?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 BMW 118 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

49% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 BMW 118 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 11,350 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 118 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 BMW 118?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 BMW 118 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (67.6% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (67.3% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (67.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 BMW 118?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 118 (2009)

11,350 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.4% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 118

CarHunch analysed 11,350 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 118. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 BMW 118 matches the UK average pass rate at 80.4%, so it's neither particularly robust nor problematic—but nearly half of these cars (49.3%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant buyer concern worth investigating on any used example. Petrol models pass slightly more often (81.6% vs 80.1% diesel), though the difference is marginal.

These cars are turning up for MOT with around 85,500 miles on the clock on average, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're racking up an alarming 20 advisories per vehicle and 3.2 failures—suggesting wear-and-tear issues are common rather than exceptional. Before committing to one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and cooling system components, as the advisory numbers hint at age-related deterioration rather than catastrophic faults.

The 2009 BMW 118 has a decent first-time pass rate (80.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

49.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.2

Over 15.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

86k

Middle half: 68k–104k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 11,350 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 11,350 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 67.6%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 67.3%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Tyre wear 63.4%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 11,350 BMW 118 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

81.6%

Petrol

2,011 vehicles

80.1%

Diesel

9,339 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 118

Based on MOT data from 11,350 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 49.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (82%)	9,339	80.1%	3.24
Petrol (18%)	2,011	81.6%	3.02

Colour Breakdown

Based on 189,903 BMW 118 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 25.8%

49,046

White 23.8%

45,278

Grey 19.7%

37,464

Blue 16.2%

30,839

Silver 9.1%

17,285

Red 3.9%

7,431

Orange 0.7%

1,242

Brown 0.3%

588

Green 0.3%

508

Gold 0.1%

111

Bronze 0.1%

Yellow 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 118 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

85,508

typical

68,160

low mileage

104,475

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 118 vehicles fall between 68,160 and 104,475 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 68,160 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 68,160–104,475 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 118s sit.

⚠ Over 141,041 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 BMW 118 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 60% of 2009 BMW 118s are still active.

6,373 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 60% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.2

Avg failures per vehicle

20.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 118: All 118 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 BMW 118 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing