2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

16,082 MOT tests in 2024. 90.4% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time90.4%
Failed or needed repairs9.6%
Typical mileage at test24,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 16,082 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.4%
    278 marked dangerous
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
    220 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    204 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  6. Brake pads: worn down to wear indicator0.4%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.3%
    78 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
    57 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
  10. Headlamp aim: too low0.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.6%
  2. Lights & electrics1.5%
  3. Brakes1.0%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.8%
  5. Suspension0.3%
  6. Seat belts & airbags0.3%
  7. Wheels0.2%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.7%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.3%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.8%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.5%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.4%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 1 SeriesAll 1 Series years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 1 Series?

In 2024, 90.4% of 2021 BMW 1 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 16,082 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 BMW 1 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 BMW 1 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).