BMW 118 (2011)
2011 BMW 118
CarHunch analysed 11,566 real MOT records for the 2011 BMW 118. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 BMW 118 passes its MOT slightly more often than average—81.7% versus the UK's 80%—but nearly half of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for any buyer. Petrol versions hold a modest reliability edge over diesels, passing 83.4% versus 81.5%, though the difference is small.
At 77,000 miles median, these cars have typical mileage for their age and aren't showing signs of premature wear. However, vehicles that do fail average 2.66 failures each, and advisories average 16 per car, suggesting that when things go wrong on these BMWs they tend to go wrong in clusters—so budget for repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, cooling, and electrical systems before committing.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2011 BMW 118
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 48.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 118
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (88%) | 10,160 | 81.5% | 2.7 |
| Petrol (12%) | 1,406 | 83.4% | 2.41 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 BMW 118 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2011 BMW 118 vehicles fall between 60,715 and 96,001 miles.
2011 BMW 118 — Still on the Road
8,250 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% 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.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 BMW 118
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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53.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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52.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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38.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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33.5%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 118?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.