Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 BMW 118 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% 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 2017 BMW 118 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 14,899 vehicles, the 2017 BMW 118 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 BMW 118?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 BMW 118 are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (41.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (40.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (29.3% 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 2017 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 (2017)

14,899 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.9% first-time pass rate

2017 BMW 118

CarHunch analysed 14,899 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW 118. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2017 BMW 118 passes its MOT first time at 88.8%, well above the UK average of 80%, which is a solid result—though the 30.3% dangerous defect rate is notably high and worth investigating on any specific example you're considering. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically, both around 88–89%, so fuel choice won't be a reliability differentiator here.

At 37,785 miles median, these cars are relatively light on mileage for their age, suggesting they've been garage-kept or low-use, which should keep major wear items fresher. The real concern is the advisory list: averaging 6.2 per vehicle means you're looking at persistent minor niggles—likely brake dust, trim wear, and routine consumables—so budget for regular maintenance rather than banking on this being trouble-free. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically probes the brakes and suspension, where those dangerous defects cluster.

The 2017 BMW 118 has a decent first-time pass rate (88.9%), 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

88.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

30.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.9

Over 7.1 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

38k

Middle half: 28k–49k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 88.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 6.2 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 14,899 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 14,899 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 41.1%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front 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.

Brake wear 28.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

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

Other issues 10.2%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 14,899 BMW 118 cars.

Before you buy a 2017 BMW 118

Based on MOT data from 14,899 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.3% 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
Petrol (62%)	9,242	89.2%	0.88
Diesel (38%)	5,657	88.3%	0.95

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 2017 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.

37,785

typical

28,282

low mileage

48,608

high mileage

Half of all 2017 BMW 118 vehicles fall between 28,282 and 48,608 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,282 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.

✓ 28,282–48,608 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 BMW 118s sit.

⚠ Over 65,620 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 BMW 118 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 BMW 118s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 14,146 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* 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

7.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.9

Avg failures per vehicle

6.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Watch for defects — worth knowing