Know Your MOT
17.4%fail rate

BMW 518 common MOT failures and failure rate

What a BMW 518 fails its MOT on most often, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 321 MOT tests in a recent DVSA sample.

What it fails on, and the fix

Suspension32.1% of failures
Lamps & electrical28.6% of failures
Visibility/wipers25.0% of failures
Brakes23.2% of failures
Tyres16.1% of failures
Other10.7% of failures
Usually bodywork or inspection, not a single bolt-on part.

About 17.4% of MOT tests recorded on the BMW 518 in this DVSA sample end in a failure. The pattern is consistent: the same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is suspension, which makes up 32.1% of the BMW 518's failures, followed by suspension, lamps & electrical, visibility/wipers, brakes. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

Other models

BMW 3 Series MOT failures19.9% failure rateBMW 118 MOT failures17.1% failure rateBMW 116 MOT failures18.3% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures22.8% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain