73 AUTO

MOT performance

2008 BMW 1 Series: MOT pass rate and common failures

Of 32,958 MOT tests on 2008-registered BMW 1 Seriess in 2023–2024 (on average 14.9 years old at test, median 111,688 miles), 65.3% passed first time, 10.6 points lower than the BMW 1 Series overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 2008 BMW 1 Seriess failed 20% less often than comparable cars.

32,958 MOT tests on 17,944 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

2008 BMW 1 Series MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate65.3%±0.5 pts (95%), n = 32,958
All BMW 1 Seriess76.0%n = 795,720
Failures vs similar cars0.80×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect10.9%n = 32,958
Average age at test14.9 yearsn = 32,958

Where 2008 BMW 1 Seriess fail

2008 BMW 1 Series MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical12.2%-40%
Brakes10.5%-12%
Suspension10.4%-42%
Tyres8.4%+6%
Driver's view of the road6.8%Same
Noise, emissions and leaks5.3%-13%
Body, chassis and structure3.3%-57%
Seat belts and airbags2.1%+1%
Road wheels1.2%+85%
Steering0.8%-79%
Registration plates and VIN0.6%+1%
Speedometer and driving controls0.0%-53%

Most common failure items

Most common 2008 BMW 1 Series MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leakSuspension4.34%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres3.87%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquidDriver's view of the road3.20%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights, reflectors and electrical2.70%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirementsBrakes2.60%

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Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.