2013 BMW 1 Series · 133,172 MOT tests
2013 BMW 1 Series reliability
2013 BMW 1 Seriess fail 25.5% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 18 1 Series years (133,172 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- 25.5%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- 84,278
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 133,172
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2013 against the years either side
- 2012 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does better)
- 2014 cars: 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2013 car does better)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.2% of tests fail here (171% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 57% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2013 car carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
Common problems
What fails on a 2013 BMW 1 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11.7%
- Tyres7.6%
- Brakes5.1%
- Suspension4.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%
- Wheels1.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.18%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.84%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.64%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.63%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.55%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.46%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.89%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.22%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.65%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (7.37%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (3.66%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (2.75%)
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 2013 BMW 1 Series reliable?
2013 BMW 1 Seriess fail 25.5% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 18 1 Series years (133,172 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2013 BMW 1 Series MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.18% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.84% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (1.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2013 BMW 1 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 10, a typical 2013 BMW 1 Series shows 84,278 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2013 car?
A car first registered in 2013 carries a 62 plate (January–February 2013), or a 13 plate (March–August 2013), or a 63 plate (September–December 2013).
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