2008 Bmw 1 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 107,095 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Bmw 1 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.1% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 10,426 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 8,992 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.2% | 8,794 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 7,021 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 5,585 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 4,262 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 6,206 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 5,428 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 4,776 |
| 4 | Washers | 4,079 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 2,939 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 2,908 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 38.3% | 40,975 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 30,520 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.5% | 30,512 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 14,008 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.3% | 8,873 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 8,511 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 981 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 7,169 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 22,718 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 34,139 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 26,181 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 15,868 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 64,338 | 22.9% |
| Petrol | 42,754 | 20.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26,357 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 24,171 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 21,828 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 18,937 | 22.8% |
| 2025 | 15,802 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 1 Series
Before buying a 2008 Bmw 1 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 9.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Bmw 1 Seriess pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 107,095 2008 Bmw 1 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Bmw 1 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2008 1 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 107,095 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.