BMW 218 (2016)
2016 BMW 218
CarHunch analysed 11,945 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW 218. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 BMW 218 passes its MOT first time at 87.7%, well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting generally solid reliability—though the 32.2% of vehicles that have recorded a dangerous defect is a red flag worth taking seriously, particularly on the used market. Petrol and diesel variants perform nearly identically (87.9% vs 87.5%), so fuel choice won't meaningfully affect your odds of a surprise repair.
At 48,000 miles average, these cars have been driven moderately for their age, which aligns with the manageable 1.1 failures per vehicle on test. The high advisory rate of 7.2 per car points to wear items and minor faults that accumulate over time—typical for a small premium hatchback—so expect routine maintenance costs to drift upward as mileage climbs.
What to check before buying a 2016 BMW 218
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.
- ⚠️ 32.2% 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 218
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 (53%) | 6,368 | 87.9% | 1.08 |
| Diesel (47%) | 5,576 | 87.5% | 1.12 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 BMW 218 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 2016 BMW 218 vehicles fall between 30,307 and 51,611 miles.
2016 BMW 218 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11,207 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 BMW 218
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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34.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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32.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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26.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
25.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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20.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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11.8%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 218?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.