2007 · 17 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2007 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

9,498 MOT tests in 2024. 64.0% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

112Well above average
Passed first time64.0%
Failed or needed repairs36.0%
Typical mileage at test117,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 9,498 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.8%
    615 marked dangerous
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.7%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    351 marked dangerous
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.3%
  6. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated2.2%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    259 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics18.1%
  2. Brakes16.8%
  3. Suspension11.8%
  4. Tyres9.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.5%
  7. Body & chassis3.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.5%
  2. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated22.1%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.4%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.4%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2007 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 64.0% of 2007 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 9,498 tests. The average for all 17-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2007 BMW 1 Series?

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

Is the 2007 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).