MOT failure data · 2025

BMW 318 MOT problems

Across every BMW 318 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, on 14.39% of failure items. The broadest problem area was tyres at 31.82%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common BMW 318 MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	14.39%
2	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	9.61%
3	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	7.91%
4	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	6.57%
5	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	4.74%
6	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	4.64%
7	Washers provides insufficient washer liquid	Visibility	3.77%
8	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	2.53%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 8 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a BMW 318, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used BMW 318 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific BMW 318?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other BMW models

BMW 318 MOT FAQs

What does a BMW 318 most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on BMW 318 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", appearing on 14.39% of failure items.

Does this mean my BMW 318 will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every BMW 318 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The BMW 318 passed 85.84% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific BMW 318's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.