BMW 518 (2016)
2016 BMW 518
CarHunch analysed 358 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW 518. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 BMW 518 passes its MOT first time at 88.8%, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is a solid endorsement of build quality. However, 34.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and warrants careful pre-purchase inspection and full service history verification.
At 82,452 miles median age, these cars are running lean for their age, suggesting either low-mileage cherished examples or replacement vehicles entering the used market. The average of 6.7 advisories per test indicates routine wear items crop up regularly, but with fewer than one failure per vehicle on average, most owners are dealing with maintenance rather than crisis repairs—so budget for upkeep on brakes, suspension and trim, and always request the MOT history before committing to a purchase.
What to check before buying a 2016 BMW 518
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.
- ⚠️ 34.4% 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 518
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 BMW 518 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 518 vehicles fall between 60,856 and 105,316 miles.
2016 BMW 518 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 282 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 BMW 518
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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51%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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51%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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28.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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19%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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17.4%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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14.6%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 518?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.