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BMW 318D SE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free BMW 318D SE Auto car check

Is the BMW 318D SE Auto reliable? We analysed 503 real MOT tests across 109 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 503 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
86.3%
Typical Mileage
88,797mi
Annual Mileage
9,054mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The BMW 318D SE Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW 318D SE Auto.

Specifications

BMW 318D SE Auto — specs & performance

Verified from DVLA & DVSA records

A snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the BMW 318D SE Auto — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.

1995cc
Engine
150bhp
Power
8.8sec
0–62 mph
60.1mpg
Combined
124g/km
CO₂

Engine & Performance

Engine size
1995cc
Power
150 BHP
0–62 mph
8.8 sec
Fuel type
Diesel

Body & Dimensions

Body type
Car
Common colour
Black
Wheel plan
2 Axle Rigid Body

Fuel Economy

Combined
60.1 mpg
Urban
50.4 mpg
Extra-urban
68.9 mpg
Fuel cost / 12k mi
£1428

Tax & Emissions

CO2 output
124 g/km Band D
Emission class
EURO 6 DG
Road tax (12 mo.)
£145
Road tax (6 mo.)
£79.75
Insurance group
22 of 50
Sources: DVLA vehicle register · DVSA fuel-economy database · VCA emissions data. Specifications reflect a representative BMW 318D SE Auto record and may vary by trim, year and option pack.

BMW 318D SE Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a BMW 318D SE Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

BMW 318D SE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical BMW 318D SE Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
6,281 mi/yr
Typical
9,054 mi/yr
Average
12,093 mi/yr
Heavy usage
12,310 mi/yr

BMW 318D SE Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all BMW 318D SE Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
88,797 mi
75th Percentile
124,190 mi
95th Percentile
169,592 mi
Max Recorded
1,000,383 mi

How Does the BMW 318D SE Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
BMW 318D SE Auto THIS CAR 86.3% 503 88,797 mi — yrs
BMW 3 Series 75.1% 12,840,406 90,743 mi 37 yrs
BMW 118 81.5% 1,923,256 64,042 mi 22 yrs
BMW X5 77% 1,735,343 83,401 mi 25 yrs
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 83.2% 840 49,459 mi 55 yrs

Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW 318D SE Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a BMW 318D SE Auto you like?

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Should you buy a used BMW 318D SE Auto?

The BMW 318D SE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.3% across 503 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

A typical BMW 318D SE Auto owner drives around 9,054 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

BMW 318D SE Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW 318D SE Auto reliable?
Based on 503 MOT tests, the BMW 318D SE Auto has a 86.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a BMW 318D SE Auto?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a BMW 318D SE Auto do per year?
The typical BMW 318D SE Auto does around 9,054 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a BMW 318D SE Auto last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a BMW 318D SE Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.