2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

18,497 MOT tests in 2024. 65.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time65.5%
Failed or needed repairs34.5%
Typical mileage at test109,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 18,497 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak5.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    1,108 marked dangerous
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
    667 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.3%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    515 marked dangerous
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.8%
  2. Brakes14.3%
  3. Suspension13.0%
  4. Tyres9.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks5.4%
  7. Body & chassis3.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.0%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak11.6%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.8%

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 2009 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 65.5% of 2009 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 18,497 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 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 lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 112, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).