2008 BMW 118 2.0L Diesel · Y33 KAA
2008 BMW 118 (2.0L, diesel). First registered 19 Dec 2008. Recorded mileage 129,516 miles. MOT valid until 23 Apr 2027. Taxed until 01 Apr 2027. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 118
- Year / Origin
- 2008 · Leeds
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Valid until 23 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Apr 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 129,516 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
Y33 KAA Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 25/04/2026
- 129,516 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
Y33 KAA MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2008 BMW 118 (Y33 KAA) between February 2024 and April 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 25 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (12 issues), Suspension (8 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 26 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii”; “Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))”; “Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))”.
Y33 KAA Mileage History
- 19/02/2024117,306 mi
- 19/02/2024117,306 mi
- 18/02/2025123,546 mi+6,240 mi
- 03/02/2026129,502 mi+5,956 mi
- 25/04/2026129,516 mi+14 mi
Average of roughly 5,604 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution before purc
A primary focus for negotiation or inspection should be the sub-frame and suspension components. The MOT history shows repeated mentions of rear sub-frame corrosion and worn suspension arm bushes. Ensure that any work claimed to have been done following the significant failure in February 2026 has been documented with receipts, specifically regarding the brake hoses and the prop shaft flexible coupling.
Given the high mileage and the recent list of defects, you should request a full service history to see if the engine oil levels and maintenance intervals have been strictly adhered to. The February 2026 failure noted 'engine oil level on min', which suggests a potential lack of routine fluid checks. Check the tyres thoroughly, as the recent history shows issues with nails and wear close to the legal limit.
As a 2.0L diesel, this BMW will offer relatively efficient motorway running costs, though insurance groups for BMW 1-series models can vary depending on the driver profile. Tax bands for a 2008 118d are generally moderate, but you should verify the exact CO2 rating for this specific registration.
Maintenance costs may be higher than average due to the age and the recurring nature of the suspension and braking component failures seen in the MOT records. Expect to budget for more frequent replacements of wear-and-tear items like brake hoses, bushes, and tyres. Estimated annual running costs are approximately £1,200-£1,500, including fuel, tax, insurance, and typical maintenance.
Focus heavily on the underside of the vehicle. The MOT history explicitly mentions rear sub-frame corrosion and corroded rear brake pipes. A professional inspection should confirm whether the sub-frame corrosion is progressing. You should also inspect all four brake hoses; the records show a recurring pattern of deterioration across multiple hoses in 2025 and 2026.
Additionally, check the suspension integrity. The vehicle has had issues with coil spring corrosion, worn suspension arm pins/bushes, and ball joint dust covers. Finally, ensure the headlamp aim is correctly adjusted, as this was a recurring failure point in 2024 and 2026, and verify that the TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) is functioning correctly following its previous warning light illumination.
This 2008 diesel BMW 118 has covered 129,516 miles, which is notably higher than the model average of 7,448 miles per year. While it passed its most recent MOT in April 2026, the history shows a pattern of deteriorating components, particularly regarding the braking system and suspension. The presence of sub-frame corrosion, even if noted as not seriously weakened, is a long-term concern for a vehicle of this age.
Aggregate data for this model shows an 83.3% MOT pass rate, with common failures relating to headlamps, shock absorbers, and engine oil level indicators.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Vehicle & Plate History
Other vehicles on this plate
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (Y33K Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as Y33KAA.
MERCEDES-BENZ
A
MERCEDES-BENZ
EQA 250+ AMG LINE EXECUTIVE
MERCEDES-BENZ
A-CLASS
JAGUAR
XF
AUDI
Q3 S LINE 35 TFSI MHEV S-A
AUDI
Q3
HYUNDAI
TUCSON N LINE S T-GDI HEV AUTO
SEAT
IBIZA
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLA
FORD
FOCUS
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER SPORT
MERCEDES-BENZ
A-CLASS
BMW 118 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2008 model year cars.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.