Bmw 1 Series vs Volkswagen Golf
On MOT-testable defects, the Bmw 1 Series (fail rate 16.1%) performed better than the Volkswagen Golf (18.6%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was suspension, where the Golf recorded failures more often.
16.1%
1 Series fail rate
18.6%
Golf fail rate
2.48pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Bmw 1 Series | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 2,262,182 | 5,284,210 |
| Pass rate | 83.9% | 81.5% |
| Fail rate | 16.1% | 18.6% |
Where they differ
| Category | 1 Series | Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.1% | 8.1% |
| Visibility | 3.5% | 0.0% |
| Body, structure & corrosion | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Brakes | 4.5% | 5.5% |
| Tyres | 6.4% | 5.5% |
| Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 7.6% |
Methodology & source. 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.