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BMW 1 SERIES Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,608 MOT tests from 663 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 1 SERIES has the same fault.

BMW 1 SERIES's have a very good reliability rating of 664/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 1 SERIES that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the BMW 1 SERIES.

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BMW 1 SERIES side viewBMW 1 SERIES (example)
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Check a BMW 1 Series before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

BMW 1 Series side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A866/999Excellent74,698 miles3,776 vehicles
N/AN/A827/999Excellent72,893 miles1,276 vehicles
N/AN/A814/999Excellent70,012 miles2,611 vehicles
N/AN/A784/999Very good76,434 miles702 vehicles
N/AN/A661/999Good74,823 miles2,622 vehicles
N/AN/A633/999Good72,035 miles3,751 vehicles
N/AN/A626/999Good72,153 miles3,389 vehicles
N/AN/A581/999Above average77,410 miles3,399 vehicles
N/AN/A574/999Above average80,993 miles6,777 vehicles
N/AN/A573/999Above average80,704 miles6,976 vehicles
N/AN/A522/999Above average81,589 miles677 vehicles
N/AN/A508/999Above average81,225 miles594 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 1 SERIES?

Based on 6,608 MOT tests from 663 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

663

MOT tests

6,608

Pass rate

83.8%

Median mileage

77,403 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 1 SERIES has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 745 out of 999.

Common BMW 1 SERIES MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,173 advisory comments and 124 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 363 advisory comments and 30 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Steering rack issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 227 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play, a leak, or a damaged gaiter on the steering rack.

What to inspect

Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT PLAY IN STEERING RACK INNER JOINT(S)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 181 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 130 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 70 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 41 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 29 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

BMW 1 SERIES MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20199859586.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201810771488.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20178866190.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20162420490.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20152318786.1%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20141916988.2%Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2013124152881.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012116156780.3%Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
20112026286.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20101220380.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20091016978.7%Tyre wear, Exhaust
200859176.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 1 SERIES

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Steering rack issues. Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a BMW 1 SERIES?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 1 SERIESs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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