BMW 1 SERIES MOT pass rate
83.7% of 711,417 BMW 1 SERIES MOT tests pass.
At 83.7%, The 1 SERIES passes slightly less often than the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
The BMW 1 SERIES has a pass rate of 83.7%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this BMW 1 SERIES?
This is the average across every BMW 1 SERIES in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the BMW 1 SERIES tested at 0–3 years pass 93.2% of the time, compared with just 73.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.2% | 29,453 | 24,741 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.6% | 149,095 | 38,239 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.8% | 218,190 | 69,159 miles |
| 10–15 years | 78.4% | 234,054 | 98,952 miles |
| 15+ years | 73.1% | 80,625 | 120,173 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW 1 SERIES
The most common reason the BMW 1 SERIES fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.4% | Not working |
| Tyres | 33.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 27.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 23.0% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 15.5% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 4.7% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.2% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Related BMW models
- BMW 3 SERIES — 82.6% pass rate
- BMW 5 SERIES — 85.0% pass rate
- BMW 2 SERIES — 89.3% pass rate
- BMW 4 SERIES — 88.9% pass rate
- BMW X5 — 86.7% pass rate
- BMW X3 — 86.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 1 SERIES?
- 83.7% of BMW 1 SERIES MOT tests pass, based on 711,417 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW 1 SERIES?
- The most common reason the BMW 1 SERIES fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 42.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- Does this show the BMW 1 SERIES's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.