Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs BMW 1 Series: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,270,291 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average

MOT tests893,948

BMW 1 Series

106Above average

MOT tests376,343

By age

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

Age at test	Ford Focus	BMW 1 Series
3–5 years	100About average	102Above average
6–9 years	103Above average	105Above average
10–14 years	96Below average	107Above average
15+ years	97Below average	112Well above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Ford Focus	BMW 1 Series
2021	88.3%	90.4%
2020	87.8%	89.3%
2019	83.7%	86.3%
2018	83.4%	84.4%
2017	82.5%	83.3%
2016	79.4%	80.4%
2015	75.6%	78.0%
2014	67.4%	74.0%
2013	63.9%	71.7%
2012	63.3%	67.5%
2011	59.1%	67.3%
2010	57.2%	66.3%
2009	56.8%	65.5%
2008	55.6%	65.1%
2007	57.4%	64.0%
2006	57.0%	61.4%
2005	54.0%	60.8%
2004	52.0%	61.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Ford Focus	BMW 1 Series
Lights & electrics	21.0	11.4
Suspension	12.6	6.0
Tyres	8.8	8.5
Brakes	7.5	7.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.6	4.4
Emissions & leaks	4.6	2.7
Body & chassis	3.6	1.3
Steering	1.5	0.5

Ford Focus: top failures

Position lamp: not working3.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

BMW 1 Series: top failures

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

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the BMW 1 Series?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and BMW 1 Series can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the BMW 1 Series in 18.

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak.