2018 BMW 1 Series · 101,003 MOT tests
2018 BMW 1 Series reliability
2018 BMW 1 Seriess fail 13.1% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 18 1 Series years (101,003 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- 13.1%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 1 Seriess: 23.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- 39,906
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 101,003
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does worse)
- 2019 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.7% of tests fail here (10% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 BMW 1 Series
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.7%
- Lights and electrics3.9%
- Brakes1.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%
- Wheels0.5%
- Suspension0.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.62%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.42%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.15%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre bulge from structural failure 1.08%
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.04%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.74%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.14%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.28%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (2.43%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (2.31%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1.72%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.67%)
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 2018 BMW 1 Series reliable?
2018 BMW 1 Seriess fail 13.1% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 18 1 Series years (101,003 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 BMW 1 Series MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.62% of tests), headlamp aim set too low (1.42% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.15% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 BMW 1 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 5, a typical 2018 BMW 1 Series shows 39,906 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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