2009 BMW 1 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
130,176 MOT tests on the 2009 BMW 1 Series are in this dataset, and 78.4% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2009 1 Series comes out 3.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.4%) and suspension (8.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 8,044 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.9% versus 8.3%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 19.3% fail against 22.8% for diesel, a 3.5-point gap across 130,176 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 12,207 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.5% | 11,079 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 9,663 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.7% | 8,768 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 6,803 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 4,101 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 8,044 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 7,372 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 5,867 |
| 4 | Washers | 4,737 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 3,535 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 2,971 |
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 | 30.0% | 39,101 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.1% | 36,541 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.7% | 34,814 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.1% | 10,556 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 9,313 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 9,035 |
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 | 1,661 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 10,866 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 31,714 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 40,848 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 28,865 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 16,185 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 85,520 | 22.8% |
| Petrol | 44,656 | 19.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 29,734 | 20.2% |
| 2022 | 28,626 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 26,699 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 24,061 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 21,056 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 1 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.5% 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 (7.4% 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 2009 BMW 1 Seriess pass their MOT?
78.4% of the 130,176 2009 BMW 1 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 BMW 1 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by suspension (8.5%).
Does the 2009 1 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 130,176 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.