Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 506,391 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average
MOT tests376,343

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

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

Age at testBMW 1 SeriesPeugeot 308
3–5 years
102Above average
99About average
6–9 years
105Above average
94Below average
10–14 years
107Above average
89Well below average
15+ years
112Well above average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 1 SeriesPeugeot 308
202190.4%88.4%
202089.3%86.3%
201986.3%83.5%
201884.4%77.9%
201783.3%75.1%
201680.4%71.2%
201578.0%68.5%
201474.0%63.2%
201371.7%57.2%
201267.5%57.0%
201167.3%57.6%
201066.3%52.3%
200965.5%49.9%
200865.1%48.6%
200764.0%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 1 SeriesPeugeot 308
Lights & electrics11.419.6
Suspension6.014.2
Brakes7.312.3
Tyres8.59.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.45.0
Emissions & leaks2.76.3
Body & chassis1.36.5
Steering0.53.5

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%

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Peugeot 308?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Peugeot 308 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Peugeot 308 in 0.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.