BMW 518 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 234 MOT tests from 22 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 518 has the same fault.

BMW 518's have a very good reliability rating of 676/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 518 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 518 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2014	676/999Good	79,184 miles	555 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 518?

Based on 234 MOT tests from 22 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

234

Pass rate

83.8%

Median mileage

113,628 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 518 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 654 out of 999.

Common BMW 518 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 52 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 20 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SUSPENSION ARM HAS SLIGHT PLAY IN A PIN/BUSH (2.4.G.2)

Other steering issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 3 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a steering defect that is not a track rod, rack, or power steering item.

What to inspect

Ask which steering part the tester named and whether it has been repaired.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT STEERING ARM DEFORMED AND UNSERVICEABLE (2.2.C.1D)

BMW 518 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2015	6	67	91%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	6	69	82.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 518

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Other steering issues. Ask which steering part the tester named and whether it has been repaired.

Buying a BMW 518?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 518s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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