2019 BMW 218I SE MOT pass rate: 88.6% (3,460 tests)
Is the 2019 218I SE getting worse?
Pass rate of 2019-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 89.9% +0.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 87.7% -0.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 88.2% +1.2 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 2019 218I SE
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 232 | 36.0% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 168 | 26.0% |
| 3 | Brakes | 77 | 11.9% |
| 4 | Suspension | 49 | 7.6% |
| 5 | Visibility | 42 | 6.5% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 25 | 3.9% |
All 218I SE years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 (this page) | 3,460 | 88.6% | +0.2 pts | 36,854 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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FAQs
Is a 2019 BMW 218I SE reliable?
2019-registered examples passed 88.6% of their MOT tests (3,460 tests, 2023–2025), +0.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 7 years old with a median 36,854 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2019 218I SE?
The median tested example shows 36,854 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.