Comparison · family hatchbacks

Volkswagen Golf vs BMW 1 Series: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Golf and BMW 1 Series are very close at the MOT: scores of 106 and 106. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 1,251,495 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Golf

106Above average

MOT tests875,152

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	Volkswagen Golf	BMW 1 Series
3–5 years	104Above average	102Above average
6–9 years	109Well above average	105Above average
10–14 years	109Well above average	107Above average
15+ years	101About average	112Well above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Volkswagen Golf	BMW 1 Series
2021	90.1%	90.4%
2020	91.0%	89.3%
2019	88.7%	86.3%
2018	87.0%	84.4%
2017	85.8%	83.3%
2016	85.0%	80.4%
2015	82.7%	78.0%
2014	79.4%	74.0%
2013	76.3%	71.7%
2012	68.4%	67.5%
2011	64.8%	67.3%
2010	62.4%	66.3%
2009	62.5%	65.5%
2008	59.7%	65.1%
2007	57.6%	64.0%
2006	54.7%	61.4%
2005	54.5%	60.8%
2004	51.0%	61.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Volkswagen Golf	BMW 1 Series
Lights & electrics	11.0	11.4
Suspension	11.3	6.0
Brakes	9.9	7.3
Tyres	7.5	8.5
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.4	4.4
Emissions & leaks	4.2	2.7
Body & chassis	4.2	1.3
Seat belts & airbags	1.3	0.8

Volkswagen Golf: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%

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 Volkswagen Golf or the BMW 1 Series?

The Volkswagen Golf and BMW 1 Series are very close at the MOT: scores of 106 and 106. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Volkswagen Golf and BMW 1 Series can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The Volkswagen Golf had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the BMW 1 Series in 9.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Golf: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak.