Family hatchback · 1998–2021 cars

BMW 1 Series reliability

The BMW 1 Series fails 23.1% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,355,123 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 67/100#11 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a BMW 1 Series before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 23.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 19% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,355,123; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The BMW 1 Series does better than most at its MOT. Its first-time fail rate is 23.1%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it ranks 11 of 65 family hatchback models. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 19% fewer MOT fails. Tyres are the one weak spot, with 8% more fails there than comparable cars.

The year matters too. 2021 models have 43% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2004 models have 12% fewer. A 1 Series can still be a sound buy if you check the right things. Before you buy, look for tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.59% of tests), a shock absorber with a serious fluid leak (1.89% of tests), a position lamp not working (1.77% of tests) and insufficient windscreen washer fluid (1.6% of tests).

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW 1 Series ages

Each point is the share of BMW 1 Seriess of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW 1 SeriesAll cars

BMW 1 Series first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW 1 Series	All cars
3	9.7%	12.3%
4	11.9%	14.1%
5	13.9%	16.4%
6	15.7%	19.1%
7	18.1%	22.1%
8	21.3%	25.5%
9	24.8%	28.8%
10	26.7%	31.8%
11	29.3%	34.6%
12	31.4%	37.3%
13	32.4%	39.5%
14	33%	41.1%
15	34%	42.3%
16	35.5%	42.9%
17	37.7%	43.4%
18	38.1%	43.5%
19	38.4%	43.4%
20	35.8%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW 1 Series years

2021 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW 1 Series MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 1 Series	12,447	6.7%	43% fewer fails	26,377
2020 1 Series	54,815	8.7%	32% fewer fails	29,523
2019 1 Series	86,657	11.7%	15% fewer fails	33,551
2018 1 Series	101,003	13.1%	16% fewer fails	39,906
2017 1 Series	121,511	14.4%	22% fewer fails	49,459
2016 1 Series	115,132	17.2%	21% fewer fails	59,301
2015 1 Series	111,829	19.7%	22% fewer fails	68,332
2014 1 Series	109,422	23.6%	18% fewer fails	77,875
2013 1 Series	133,172	25.5%	20% fewer fails	84,278
2012 1 Series	105,765	29.7%	14% fewer fails	90,379
2011 1 Series	80,650	30%	19% fewer fails	96,634
2010 1 Series	83,554	32.1%	19% fewer fails	102,775
2009 1 Series	72,548	32.9%	20% fewer fails	105,091
2008 1 Series	60,416	33.1%	23% fewer fails	110,266
2007 1 Series	39,542	35.1%	20% fewer fails	114,799
2006 1 Series	34,264	37.7%	15% fewer fails	122,212
2005 1 Series	25,333	38.2%	15% fewer fails	127,596
2004 1 Series	6,987	39.4%	12% fewer fails	122,707

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW 1 Series

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics8.8%22% below avg
Tyres7.1%8% above avg
Brakes5.1%24% below avg
Suspension4.6%49% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4%12% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.1%32% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.1%66% below avg
Wheels0.9%130% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%16% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.59% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.89% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
3
Position lamp not working 1.77% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.6% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.55% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
6
Headlamp aim set too low 1.27% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.21% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.08% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW 1 Series's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.84%
Brake pads wearing thin7.47%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.99%
Shock absorber light oil misting3.79%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.58%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.93%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW 1 Series

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical BMW 1 Series covers about 8,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel56.1%
Petrol43.9%
Electric0%
Hybrid0%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

White, Black, Grey, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 1.9 litres.

Compare

How the BMW 1 Series compares with its rivals

BMW 1 Series against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW 1 Series	23.1%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A3	24.4%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Golf	25.8%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Octavia	24.7%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz A-Class	20.6%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic	32.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Astra	34.5%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW 1 Series questions, answered

Is the BMW 1 Series reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW 1 Series is better than average: it fails 23.1% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW 1 Series MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 1 Series are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.59% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (1.89% of tests), position lamp not working (1.77% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8.8% of its tests.

Which BMW 1 Series year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW 1 Series do a year?

A typical BMW 1 Series covers about 8,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW 1 Series before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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