2016 BMW 218d: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 BMW 218d?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 BMW 218d than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Headlight aim1.6× usual
  BMW 218d

  3.4% All 2016 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2016 BMW 218d MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 BMW 218d MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

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

• Brakes
  18% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  13% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 BMW 218d

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

  Diesel

  Diesels mostly used for short trips can block their particulate filter.

  At the viewing: Ask how the car was used, and watch for a DPF warning.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability

• Trim and electrical faults

  All engines

  Interior trim was the most common complaint in What Car?'s survey, then electrics and infotainment. On the Active Tourer the boot floor panel can come loose and its plastic flaps break.

  At the viewing: Check the boot floor and test the screen and electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (2014-2021) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 BMW 218d

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

1. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2016 BMW 218d as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?