2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

21,097 MOT tests in 2024. 67.3% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time67.3%
Failed or needed repairs32.7%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 21,097 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak6.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    1,253 marked dangerous
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
    641 marked dangerous
  4. Position lamp: not working1.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    534 marked dangerous
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.5%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.4%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics17.0%
  2. Suspension12.2%
  3. Brakes10.1%
  4. Tyres9.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.7%
  7. Body & chassis2.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.4%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak11.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.5%

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 2011 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 67.3% of 2011 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 21,097 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 BMW 1 Series?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).