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BMW 1 Series reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

BMW 1 Series built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW 1 Series models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW 1 Series by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on BMW 1 Series models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 1 Series models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW 1 Series's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 1 Series's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

1 Series F70

F70 (2024-present)

PETROLDIESEL
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
1 Series F40

F40 (2019-2023)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

11.9% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 24,026 MOT tests at this ageView details →
1 Series F20/F21

F20/F21 (2011-2018)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

16.9% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 16,537 MOT tests at this ageView details →
1 Series E87/E81/E82/E88

E87/E81/E82/E88 (2004-2010)

Excellent
PETROLDIESEL

26.9% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 14,231 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW 1 Series.

See every build year for the BMW 1 Series

Side-by-side

BMW 1 Series generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
F40 (2019-2023)
Average
Average11.9%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 24,026 MOT tests at this age
F20/F21 (2011-2018)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings16.9%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 16,537 MOT tests at this age
E87/E81/E82/E88 (2004-2010)
Excellent
Excellent26.9%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 14,231 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 1 Series, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW 1 Series fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW 1 Series ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
14,6708.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
21,6919.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
24,02611.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
33,90213.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
34,24614.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
39,59316.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
38,38417.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
38,20819.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
41,71222.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
42,44124.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
30,99225.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
27,32525.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
25,76126.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
19,03226.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
14,23126.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
9,40728.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
7,48228.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,94829.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
33828.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW 1 Series stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

16th of 16

Among the highest fail rates of the 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

24th of 84

24th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

14.8%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW 1 Series models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW 1 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.7%
    Advisory: 10,420Fail: 1,034 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.8%
    Advisory: 4,381Fail: 525 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.6%
    Advisory: 2,410Fail: 808 (25% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.1%
    Advisory: 3,025Fail: 44 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    3.8%
    Advisory: 1,278Fail: 269 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 34,246 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW 1 Series models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW 1 Series models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres36%
  2. Other + Tyres19%
  3. Suspension + Tyres15%
  4. Brakes + Other14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 7,719 MOT tests on BMW 1 Series cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

69 recalls in all

35 of the 69 BMW 1 Series recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 12 Critical
  • 23 more

Top concerns

  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • The driver's air bag fabric could be damaged by the air bag cover during deployment

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 14.8% for the BMW 1 Series, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the BMW 1 Series on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 14.8% for the BMW 1 Series, both built around 2018.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the BMW 1 Series on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW 1 Series across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has among the highest fail rates of the 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 34,246 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW 1 Series ever sold: 467,389 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 34,246 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.