Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Honda Civic: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 647,310 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average

MOT tests376,343

Honda Civic

101About average

MOT tests270,967

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	BMW 1 Series	Honda Civic
3–5 years	102Above average	103Above average
6–9 years	105Above average	107Above average
10–14 years	107Above average	104Above average
15+ years	112Well above average	96Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	BMW 1 Series	Honda Civic
2021	90.4%	92.1%
2020	89.3%	89.5%
2019	86.3%	86.7%
2018	84.4%	84.2%
2017	83.3%	84.5%
2016	80.4%	82.7%
2015	78.0%	81.0%
2014	74.0%	77.0%
2013	71.7%	73.4%
2012	67.5%	70.8%
2011	67.3%	58.8%
2010	66.3%	55.7%
2009	65.5%	55.6%
2008	65.1%	54.8%
2007	64.0%	54.5%
2006	61.4%	54.0%
2005	60.8%	56.0%
2004	61.9%	55.2%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	BMW 1 Series	Honda Civic
Lights & electrics	11.4	25.7
Suspension	6.0	13.7
Brakes	7.3	12.2
Tyres	8.5	7.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.4	5.7
Emissions & leaks	2.7	4.1
Body & chassis	1.3	3.6
Steering	0.5	2.1

BMW 1 Series: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.5%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%

Honda Civic: top failures

Position lamp: not working4.3%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
Stop lamp: not working2.7%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Honda Civic?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Honda Civic can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the Honda Civic in 9.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Honda Civic: position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect.