2014 · 10 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2014 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

29,120 MOT tests in 2024. 74.0% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time74.0%
Failed or needed repairs26.0%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 29,120 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    1,607 marked dangerous
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
    925 marked dangerous
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  6. Washers: not working1.3%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    484 marked dangerous
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics14.7%
  2. Tyres9.2%
  3. Brakes6.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.8%
  5. Suspension3.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.6%
  7. Wheels1.2%
  8. Body & chassis0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.6%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.3%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)7.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.9%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2014 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 74.0% of 2014 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 29,120 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 BMW 1 Series?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2014 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).