BMW 5 Series (2018)
2018 BMW 5 Series
CarHunch analysed 19,603 real MOT records for the 2018 BMW 5 Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 BMW 5 Series passes its MOT first time at 90.1%, well above the UK average of 80%, but the concerning figure is that 25.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—nearly one in four. Diesel and petrol variants both perform reliably (90.6% and 91.5% pass rates respectively), though the hybrid-electric model dips to 88.2%, suggesting slightly more fragility in that powertrain.
These cars are running at a sensible 50,763 miles median for their age, which keeps repair risk manageable. The real issue lies in the advisory count: 3.7 per vehicle is notably high, pointing to wear in non-critical areas like suspension, lights, and trim—the kind of niggles that are cheap to fix but signal a car that needs regular attention rather than neglect-proof motoring.
What to check before buying a 2018 BMW 5 Series
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.
- ⚠️ 25.4% 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 5 Series
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 (52%) | 10,171 | 90.6% | 0.61 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (29%) | 5,609 | 88.2% | 0.73 |
| Petrol (20%) | 3,823 | 91.5% | 0.56 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 BMW 5 Series 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 2018 BMW 5 Series vehicles fall between 38,572 and 66,407 miles.
2018 BMW 5 Series — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 16,970 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific BMW 5 Series?
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