2011 BMW 1 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
141,239 MOT tests on the 2011 BMW 1 Series are in this dataset, and 80.4% of them passed. That is 3.2 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and suspension (7.1%) 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 8,030 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.4% versus 8.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (20.5% vs 17.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 13,568 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 10,000 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.6% | 9,280 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.2% | 7,349 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 6,361 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 3,107 |
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 | 8,030 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6,812 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 6,261 |
| 4 | Washers | 4,561 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 3,796 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 3,441 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.7% | 39,111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.1% | 31,241 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.8% | 25,079 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.8% | 13,872 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 9,078 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 7,653 |
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 | 2,466 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 16,727 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 41,746 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 44,302 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 24,372 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 11,594 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 103,246 | 20.5% |
| Petrol | 37,984 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 30,063 | 17.6% |
| 2022 | 29,751 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 28,877 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 27,343 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 25,205 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 1 Series
On a 2011 1 Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (6.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2011 BMW 1 Seriess pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 141,239 2011 BMW 1 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW 1 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2011 1 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 141,239 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.