2011 BMW 1 Series · 80,650 MOT tests
2011 BMW 1 Series reliability
2011 BMW 1 Seriess fail 30% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 18 1 Series years (80,650 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- 30%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- 96,634
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 80,650
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2011 against the years either side
- 2010 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does better)
- 2012 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does better)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2011 car carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
Common problems
What fails on a 2011 BMW 1 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11.7%
- Suspension8.7%
- Tyres7.7%
- Brakes6.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.7%
- Body, chassis and structure1.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 4.67%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.07%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 2.22%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.12%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.74%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.7%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.09%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (7.94%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.7%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.52%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.22%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (3.18%)
Other years
Every BMW 1 Series year
The full picture: BMW 1 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 1 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2011 BMW 1 Series reliable?
2011 BMW 1 Seriess fail 30% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 18 1 Series years (80,650 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2011 BMW 1 Series MOT?
Most often shock absorber serious fluid leak (4.67% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.07% of tests), position lamp not working (2.22% of tests).
How many miles should a 2011 BMW 1 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 12, a typical 2011 BMW 1 Series shows 96,634 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2011 car?
A car first registered in 2011 carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
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