2020 BMW 118 1.5L Petrol · LO20 WKP

The 2020 BMW 118i presents a stable and largely clean roadworthiness record, with the most recent MOT conducted on 20 August 2025 at 20,283 miles resulting in a pass. However, that test was not entirely without concern. The tester flagged an offside rear nail puncture, an offside front nail puncture, and a cut to the nearside rear tyre that, while not deep enough to expose the ply or cords at the time of inspection, warranted an advisory under item 5.2.3 (d) (i). These three tyre defects in a single test suggest the vehicle may have been driven through or parked in an environment with road debris or puncture hazards, rather than reflecting a simple age-related wear pattern. The underlying maintenance trend is broadly stable, but the cluster of tyre damage in the latest test is a notable departure from the two previous clean passes. The mileage profile is unusually low for a six-year-old vehicle. Between the first recorded test on 14 August 2023 at 5,172 miles and the second on 26 July 2024 at 12,030 miles, the car accumulated 6,858 miles in roughly eleven months, which is a reasonable rate of use. Yet between July 2024 and August 2025, the odometer moved only from 12,030 to 20,283 miles, adding 8,253 miles over thirteen months. That is still modest, averaging around 3,380 miles per year across the full six-year span. Such low annual mileage can mean reduced mechanical wear on the drivetrain and brakes, but it also raises the possibility of prolonged standing periods, which can lead to flat-spotted tyres, brake surface corrosion, and deteriorated rubber components such as bushes and seals. A buyer inspecting this car in person should pay close attention to the tyre condition and wheel rims, given the repeated puncture-related advisories in the most recent test. Check each tyre sidewall for fresh cuts, bulges, or embedded objects, and examine the tread depth across all four wheels to confirm even wear rather than uneven patterns that might indicate alignment or suspension geometry issues. The nearside rear tyre advisory specifically referenced a cut that had not yet reached the ply or cords, so that tyre should be carefully assessed for any deterioration since August 2025. Beyond the tyres, the low-mileage profile warrants a thorough check of the braking system for surface corrosion on discs and pads, which can develop when a vehicle sits unused for extended periods. Suspension components, including front and rear coil springs, anti-roll bar links, and wishbone bushes, should be inspected for perishing or premature wear that can occur with age regardless of mileage. The exhaust system and its mountings deserve attention as well, since short-trip driving can accelerate internal condensation and corrosion. Overall, the MOT record is reassuring, but the tyre-related advisories in the latest test and the atypical mileage pattern mean a hands-on mechanical inspection remains essential before purchase.