Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 479,693 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average
MOT tests376,343

Hyundai i30

92Below average
MOT tests103,350

By age

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

Age at testBMW 1 SeriesHyundai i30
3–5 years
102Above average
101About average
6–9 years
105Above average
96Below average
10–14 years
107Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
112Well above average
91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 1 SeriesHyundai i30
202190.4%85.4%
202089.3%85.5%
201986.3%87.3%
201884.4%84.4%
201783.3%80.2%
201680.4%71.0%
201578.0%68.8%
201474.0%62.3%
201371.7%57.8%
201267.5%55.9%
201167.3%54.3%
201066.3%52.5%
200965.5%53.7%
200865.1%49.9%
200764.0%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 1 SeriesHyundai i30
Lights & electrics11.421.1
Brakes7.321.1
Suspension6.011.3
Tyres8.58.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.45.5
Steering0.56.2
Emissions & leaks2.72.1
Body & chassis1.32.1

BMW 1 Series: top failures

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

Hyundai i30: top failures

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Hyundai i30?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 1.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.