BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 75.9% of BMW 1 Series MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 383,231 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
88.6%
All cars: 86.1% (2.5 points better). 64,386 tests.
At 6–10 years
80.2%
All cars: 76.1% (4.1 points better). 151,058 tests.
At 11 years and over
67.3%
All cars: 61.3% (6 points better). 167,787 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15,919 | 91.0% | 87.8% | 28,750 miles |
| 4 | 23,669 | 89.1% | 86.4% | 36,250 miles |
| 5 | 24,798 | 86.5% | 84.5% | 43,750 miles |
| 6 | 28,081 | 84.3% | 81.9% | 51,250 miles |
| 7 | 29,008 | 82.6% | 79.3% | 61,250 miles |
| 8 | 32,558 | 80.8% | 76.3% | 68,750 miles |
| 9 | 31,358 | 78.7% | 73.1% | 78,750 miles |
| 10 | 30,053 | 75.1% | 70.0% | 86,250 miles |
| 11 | 33,316 | 72.0% | 66.9% | 93,750 miles |
| 12 | 31,597 | 67.9% | 64.4% | 98,750 miles |
| 13 | 22,766 | 66.8% | 62.1% | 103,750 miles |
| 14 | 20,646 | 66.7% | 60.2% | 108,750 miles |
| 15 | 19,365 | 65.9% | 58.6% | 111,250 miles |
| 16 | 14,075 | 65.1% | 57.5% | 113,750 miles |
| 17 | 10,651 | 65.2% | 57.2% | 116,250 miles |
| 18 | 6,923 | 62.6% | 57.0% | 123,750 miles |
| 19 | 5,482 | 62.3% | 57.2% | 128,750 miles |
| 20+ | 2,966 | 62.3% | 61.4% | 126,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of BMW 1 Series MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | 1 Series | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.5% | 16.6% |
| Tyres | 9.5% | 8.4% |
| Suspension | 7.8% | 13.7% |
| Brakes | 7.5% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | 4.0% |
| Road wheels | 1.3% | 0.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.3% | 4.2% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 3.6% of tests
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak failed 2.7% of tests · what this means
- Position lamp: not working failed 2.4% of tests · what this means
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 2.0% of tests · what this means
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 1.9% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too low failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.7% of tests
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 1.5% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular 1 Series?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every 1 Series version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: diesel 53.1%, petrol 46.9%, hybrid electric (clean) 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other BMW models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.