2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

5,644 MOT tests in 2024. 60.8% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

108Above average
Passed first time60.8%
Failed or needed repairs39.2%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,644 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.2%
    403 marked dangerous
  3. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated3.8%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.7%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    223 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.5%
  8. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.5%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes22.6%
  2. Lights & electrics21.5%
  3. Suspension16.4%
  4. Tyres9.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.9%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.4%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.9%
  8. Body & chassis3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.7%
  2. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated20.9%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.8%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.9%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 60.8% of 2005 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,644 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 BMW 1 Series?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2005 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).