How reliable is the BMW 118?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The BMW 118 consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 53,880 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 92.1%.
BMW 118 reliability by year
How the BMW 118 performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 65.3% | – |
| 2005 | 69.2% | – |
| 2006 | 69.5% | – |
| 2007 | 72.3% | – |
| 2008 | 72.6% | – |
| 2009 | 72.7% | – |
| 2010 | 74.3% | – |
| 2011 | 75.5% | – |
| 2012 | 75.3% | – |
| 2013 | 80.5% | – |
| 2014 | 82.2% | – |
| 2015 | 86.2% | – |
| 2016 | 86.4% | – |
| 2017 | 87.4% | 71,744 km |
| 2018 | 87.6% | 63,654 km |
| 2019 | 90% | 62,294 km |
| 2020 | 92.1% | 62,397 km |
| 2021 | 93.4% | – |
| 2022 | 97.4% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the BMW 118 as a model. The reliability of any individual BMW 118 also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW 118 reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the BMW 118 consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 92%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the BMW 118?
The most common owner-reported issues are: A tyre seriously damaged (1.2% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (0.7% of inspections); A tyre seriously damaged (0.5% of inspections); Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (0.5% of inspections); A tyre cords visible or damaged (0.4% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a BMW 118?
For a typical BMW 118, owner-reported average mileage works out to about 39,633 km at 3 years, 62,397 km at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific BMW 118 before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.