BMW 118 (2020)
2020 BMW 118
CarHunch analysed 17,502 real MOT records for the 2020 BMW 118. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2020 BMW 118 is a reliable performer, passing its MOT on first attempt 92.2% of the time—well above the UK average of 80%—and only 12.5% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low. Petrol and diesel variants are closely matched, both exceeding 91% pass rates, so fuel choice won't materially affect dependability here.
At an average mileage of 31,842 miles for a four-year-old car, these examples are running slightly above typical wear, yet they're still failing very infrequently (0.34 failures per vehicle). When issues do appear, they tend to be minor—advisories average 2.3 per MOT—so if you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection focusing on service history and any previous advisory trends will give you a realistic picture of what you're taking on.
What to check before buying a 2020 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.
- 📄 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (89%) | 15,581 | 92.4% | 0.34 |
| Diesel (11%) | 1,921 | 91.4% | 0.38 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2020 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 2020 BMW 118 vehicles fall between 21,492 and 37,542 miles.
2020 BMW 118 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 16,892 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2020 BMW 118
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
22%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
21.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
11.8%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
11%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
10.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
10.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
10.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
9.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2020. 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.