2018 BMW 420 2.0L Diesel · PX18 SVP

The 2018 BMW 420 presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 4 April 2026 at 109,129 miles with zero defects recorded. That result marks a significant turnaround from the failure logged just two days prior in April 2024, when both nearside and offside rear shock absorbers were flagged for serious fluid leaks under item 5.3.2 (b). The subsequent passes in 2025 and 2026, both entirely defect-free, indicate the suspension issue was properly rectified rather than fudged through a retest. No recurring faults appear in the record, and the trajectory from failure to consecutive clean certificates suggests attentive remedial work. The mileage profile tells a clear story of sustained high use. Covering roughly 14,196 miles between the March 2025 test at 94,933 miles and the April 2026 test at 109,129 miles, the annualised rate sits well above the typical 10,000-mile benchmark for a vehicle of this age. The earlier interval from April 2024 to March 2025 shows a more moderate 1,429 miles, hinting at a period of reduced use or a gap in testing. Overall, the car has accumulated 109,129 miles over approximately eight years, averaging around 13,641 miles per year. That level of use accelerates wear on consumable components, particularly brake discs and pads, tyres, suspension bushes, and drivetrain mounts. Despite the high mileage, the MOT record itself is remarkably sparse in advisories. The sole non-defect note, a plastic under tray fitted at the May 2023 test, is a minor fitment observation rather than a mechanical concern. The absence of any corrosion warnings, exhaust emissions failures, or braking system advisories across five consecutive tests is encouraging for a car covering this kind of annual distance. The shock absorber failure in 2024 remains the only substantive defect on file, and its resolution appears durable given the clean follow-up results. A buyer should still carry out a focused physical inspection. The rear suspension merits close attention despite the clean MOT history. Leaking dampers can recur if replacement units are of inferior quality or if the underlying cause, such as worn top mounts or bump stops, was not addressed. Inspect the nearside and offside rear shock absorbers for fresh oil misting, and check the coil springs for sag or fracture. Given the high annual mileage, examine the condition of the front and rear brake discs and pads, the inner and outer tyre sidewalls for perishing, and the condition of the exhaust system for corrosion at joints and flexi-pipes. A road test over broken surfaces will quickly reveal any lingering suspension clunks or damping issues that a stationary inspection might miss.