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MOT reliability

Bmw 1 series

94,851 vehicles · 977,160 completed MOT tests analysed
83%
MOT pass rate

Based on 94,851 Bmw 1 series vehicles and 977,160 completed MOT tests, the Bmw 1 series has an overall 83% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 88,518 miles.

94,851
Vehicles
977,160
MOT tests
7,899
Avg miles / year
1.4
Faults per test
5%
Dangerous-fault share

Bmw 1 series problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Bmw 1 series MOT tests:

  • Other37%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension34%
  • Brakes19%
  • Lamps & electrical7%
  • Visibility4%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Steering1%
  • Body & structure1%

Bmw 1 series pass rate by age

How the Bmw 1 series's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
15992%
26,32092%
3110,66589%
4106,99088%
5106,93087%
6107,30485%
798,12784%
881,26882%
970,67380%
1064,53279%
1161,53777%
1257,72276%
1344,60275%
1423,45874%
1513,65273%
169,76472%
176,23473%
183,80672%
192,00870%
2099870%

Fuel types: Petrol (51,106), Diesel (43,738), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (2), Electric Diesel (1), LPG (1), CNG (1), Electric (1), Other (1)

Most common Bmw 1 series MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Bmw 1 series MOT tests:

  1. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (36,969 times)
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (36,528 times)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (28,584 times)
  4. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (27,383 times)
  5. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (25,759 times)
  6. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (18,440 times)
  7. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (16,466 times)
  8. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (16,456 times)
  9. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (14,829 times)
  10. Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) (14,630 times)
  11. Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (13,405 times)
  12. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i)) (11,099 times)
  13. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) (10,885 times)
  14. Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt (10,441 times)
  15. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (10,201 times)

Bmw 1 series pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2026 1 1 100% 38,224
2025 2 3 100% 56,603
2024 5 10 90% 46,952
2023 5 6 100% 31,189
2022 10 12 100% 23,720
2021 19 44 84% 27,434
2020 40 101 90% 44,405
2019 14,949 80,355 89% 52,982
2018 12,444 76,736 89% 61,087
2017 7,765 55,462 90% 65,366
2016 2,920 23,375 90% 68,152
2015 1,754 14,898 89% 72,876
2014 2,321 22,163 87% 80,697
2013 17,894 216,792 81% 102,574
2012 15,925 202,587 80% 105,423
2011 3,132 41,839 81% 106,082
2010 3,035 43,830 80% 114,614
2009 2,859 42,704 80% 118,105
2008 2,787 42,199 79% 121,096
2007 2,182 34,878 78% 126,860
2006 1,574 26,265 78% 142,551
2005 2,336 38,331 77% 134,631
2004 867 14,350 77% 131,270
2003 2 26 69% 135,804
2002 1 1 100% 268,227
2001 1 14 79% 129,060
2000 3 39 64% 124,953
1999 3 49 65% 146,544
1991 1 4 75% 47,445
1990 1 17 94% 375,202
1989 1 1 100% 3,049
1986 1 14 71% 6,766
1983 1 13 69% 30,817
1981 2 6 83% 17,212
1980 4 10 90% 23,435
1976 1 4 75% 51,880
1973 3 25 50% 71,627

Bmw 1 series reliability FAQ

Across 94,851 Bmw 1 series vehicles in our MOT data, 83% pass the MOT (a 17% failure rate), with about 1.4 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Bmw 1 series MOT issues are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)).

The typical Bmw 1 series in our data has covered around 88,518 miles.

Compare the Bmw 1 series

See how the Bmw 1 series stacks up against other Bmw models on MOT reliability:

1 series vs 3 series 1 series vs 118 1 series vs 316 1 series vs 520

Check a specific Bmw 1 series

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Bmw models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks