The picture
218i Sport Auto: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 608 MOT tests, the 218i Sport Auto returns 91.3% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. Windscreen damage and a defective wiper blade round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 27,069, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A tyre seriously damaged
24 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
10 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 03
Wiper blade defective
9 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 04
A tyre seriously damaged
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 06
A tyre cords visible or damaged
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 07
A tyre seriously damaged
4 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a 218i Sport Auto?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 218i Sport Auto and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.