BMW 1 Series reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults · 156,282 real DVSA tests · 2024
Across 156,282 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 90% of BMW 1 Series cars aged 4 to 7 years pass their MOT first time — ahead of the 85% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on steering and body & structure.
MOT pass rate by age
Where the 1 Series tends to fail
Share of BMW 1 Series cars aged 4 to 7 years with no fault in each area (higher is better). The tick is the fleet average for the same age.
Holds up better than average on steering, body & structure, suspension.
Common questions
Is the BMW 1 Series reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the BMW 1 Series holds up well for its age: 90% of examples aged 4 to 7 years pass first time, against a 85% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 66% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 1 Series?
First-time MOT pass rates for the BMW 1 Series in 2024: 4 to 7 years, 90%; 8 to 12 years, 77%; and 13 years and older, 68%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a BMW 1 Series MOT?
No single area stands out as a recurring weakness for the BMW 1 Series versus other cars of the same age — its MOT failures are spread across the usual wear items (tyres, brakes, lamps).