Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs Toyota Corolla: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Toyota Corolla, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 485,609 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average
MOT tests376,343

Toyota Corolla

103Above average
MOT tests109,266

By age

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

Age at testBMW 1 SeriesToyota Corolla
3–5 years
102Above average
103Above average
6–9 years
105Above average
–
10–14 years
107Above average
–
15+ years
112Well above average
104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearBMW 1 SeriesToyota Corolla
202190.4%89.3%
202089.3%89.1%
201986.3%88.5%
200965.5%61.6%
200865.1%61.2%
200764.0%59.5%
200661.4%60.5%
200560.8%59.6%
200461.9%56.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaBMW 1 SeriesToyota Corolla
Lights & electrics11.418.2
Brakes7.311.6
Tyres8.55.8
Suspension6.05.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.46.5
Emissions & leaks2.73.4
Body & chassis1.33.4
Seat belts & airbags0.81.0

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%

Toyota Corolla: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the Toyota Corolla?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Toyota Corolla, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and Toyota Corolla can be compared?

Both were tested for 9 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 8 of them and the Toyota Corolla in 1.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Toyota Corolla: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.