2021 BMW 218I M Sport MOT pass rate: 89.8% (3,954 tests)
Is the 2021 218I M Sport getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 88.4% -2.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 91.2% +1.0 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2021 218I M Sport
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 330 | 57.2% |
| 2 | Brakes | 66 | 11.4% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 64 | 11.1% |
| 4 | Visibility | 28 | 4.9% |
| 5 | Suspension | 25 | 4.3% |
| 6 | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 22 | 3.8% |
All 218I M Sport years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,811 | 89.1% | -0.8 pts | 28,988 |
| 2021 (this page) | 3,954 | 89.8% | -0.7 pts | 27,896 |
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FAQs
Is a 2021 BMW 218I M Sport reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 89.8% of their MOT tests (3,954 tests, 2023–2025), -0.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 27,896 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 218I M Sport?
The median tested example shows 27,896 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.