2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

14,684 MOT tests in 2024. 65.1% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

114Well above average
Passed first time65.1%
Failed or needed repairs34.9%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 14,684 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    856 marked dangerous
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    551 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.3%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    417 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.9%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes16.0%
  2. Lights & electrics15.8%
  3. Suspension13.2%
  4. Tyres9.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.1%
  7. Body & chassis4.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.3%
  2. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated21.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.5%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.3%

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 2008 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 65.1% of 2008 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 14,684 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 BMW 1 Series?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2008 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 114, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).