BMW 1 Series: what fails at MOT
615,000 MOT tests on the BMW 1 Series in 2024, counted. 21.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.3% of BMW 1 Series tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.8%, so the 1 Series does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (5% of tests), tyres (4.3% of tests) and brakes (3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30,174 | 8.0% | 10.9% | 24,000 17,100 to 32,600 |
| 2020 | 39,816 | 8.9% | 11.5% | 30,700 22,500 to 40,900 |
| 2019 | 47,033 | 11.6% | 13.4% | 38,000 28,300 to 49,600 |
| 2018 | 45,541 | 13.0% | 15.6% | 46,700 35,900 to 59,300 |
| 2017 | 54,291 | 14.1% | 18.2% | 56,000 43,400 to 71,300 |
| 2016 | 49,879 | 17.4% | 21.3% | 65,800 50,700 to 83,300 |
| 2015 | 47,227 | 19.9% | 24.4% | 75,400 58,900 to 94,400 |
| 2014 | 46,349 | 23.5% | 27.7% | 84,600 66,600 to 104,300 |
| 2013 | 57,210 | 25.0% | 30.6% | 89,600 70,200 to 110,900 |
| 2012 | 45,176 | 29.3% | 33.4% | 95,100 73,200 to 118,000 |
| 2011 | 32,491 | 30.2% | 36.1% | 101,200 77,500 to 126,200 |
| 2010 | 32,742 | 31.3% | 38.6% | 107,300 83,600 to 133,000 |
| 2009 | 27,999 | 32.0% | 39.8% | 108,600 83,900 to 135,000 |
| 2008 | 23,106 | 31.9% | 41.5% | 112,900 88,500 to 139,300 |
| 2007 | 13,960 | 34.8% | 41.5% | 118,000 94,300 to 142,400 |
| 2006 | 11,620 | 37.9% | 42.4% | 124,700 98,100 to 152,000 |
| 2005 | 8,182 | 38.2% | 42.2% | 128,700 101,700 to 158,800 |
| 2004 | 2,272 | 37.5% | 42.3% | 123,700 95,600 to 154,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW 1 Series tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 1 Series | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 5.0% | 6.9% |
| Tyres | 4.3% | 4.2% |
| Brakes Less than most | 3.0% | 4.2% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.8% | 5.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.3% | 2.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.6% | 2.0% |
| Wheels | 0.6% | 0.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.7%
- Headlamp aim2.0%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Washers1.6%
- Shock absorbers1.4%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Side light1.2%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Engine warning light0.7%
- Brake test0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
- Side light: not working1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.9%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a BMW 1 Series's own MOT record
Looking at a 1 Series? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.