Used car guide · 2005–2023

BMW 118i common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used BMW 118i, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 234,016 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

234,016MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
10known faults across all years
2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005

Generation guides: BMW 118i E87 (2004–2011) · BMW 118i F20 (2011–2019) · BMW 118i F40 (2019–2024)

What usually goes wrong with a BMW 118i?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • EGR valve leak (diesel)

    Cars registered 2011–2019 · Diesel

    The EGR valve on diesels can leak and, in rare cases, has caused fires. BMW issued recalls.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer whether the recall work was done. Watch for a strange smell or rough running.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Fuel filter heater: flat battery and fire risk (diesel, built Aug 2008 to June 2009)

    Cars registered 2008–2009 · 2.0 diesel, built 2008 to 2009

    Moisture can get into an electrical connection at the fuel filter, draining the battery so it won't start, with a fire risk if it happens while parked after driving.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the fix was done.

    Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

  • Engine and lights cutting out

    Cars registered 2011–2019

    An electrical fault could cut the engine and exterior lights. There have been three recalls.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recall work. Flickering lights on the dash can be an early sign.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Propshaft joint

    Cars registered 2011–2019

    The front propshaft joint can fail and leave the car stranded.

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks or vibration from under the middle of the car.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults

    Cars registered 2005–2010 · Some cars

    Faults to have been fixed: loose rear control arm joints (built May to Sept 2004), a leaking brake servo seal (built March 2006) and airbag and seatbelt wiring (built May to July 2008).

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding work.

    Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

  • Power steering warning (built June 2007 to Dec 2011)

    Cars registered 2007–2010 · Built from June 2007

    A part in the steering control module can fail, lighting the EPS warning and making the steering heavier.

    At the viewing: Make sure the steering light goes out and the steering feels light.

    Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

  • Electrical and warning light faults

    Cars registered 2020–2023 · All engines

    The main faults reported are electrical: warning lights with no clear cause and infotainment faults.

    At the viewing: Test the screen and check no warning lights stay on.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

  • Particulate filter warnings (diesel)

    Cars registered 2020–2023 · Diesel

    Diesels have more problems, including DPF warnings and engine management faults.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

  • Water getting in

    Cars registered 2011–2019

    Blocked drains at the base of the windscreen can let water damage the electrics. Lights can mist up inside.

    At the viewing: Look for condensation in the lights and damp carpets.

    Source: Parkers: BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) used review

  • Airbag and camshaft recalls (2020)

    Cars registered 2020–2023 · Some cars

    Recalls covered the driver's airbag fabric (about 1,100 cars) and camshaft bearing cap screws that could come loose (39 cars).

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 1 Series (2019 on) reliability

Common BMW 118i MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 5.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Wheels

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlight aim

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

BMW 118i MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 BMW 118i did best (81% passed first time, 11 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2018 did worst (83%, 0 points above all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202394%92% +2816
202292%89% +310,128
202191%87% +423,602
202089%87% +247,771
201986%85% +125,440
201883%83% +025,430
201783%80% +327,324
201681%77% +424,759
201581%74% +718,089
201481%70% +112,031
201377%67% +102,166
201272%64% +82,901
201172%62% +103,594
201071%60% +114,852
200968%59% +94,406
200867%57% +104,328
200765%57% +82,970
200664%56% +82,162
200565%57% +81,247

Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW 118i

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the BMW recall work, including the EGR valve, been done?
  2. Has the fuel filter heater fix been done?
  3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the BMW 118i as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the BMW 118i as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the BMW 118i as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 118i?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score