Diesel BMW 1 Series: MOT pass rate

77.1% of diesel BMW 1 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 34,660 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 96,777.

Diesel against the other BMW 1 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 1 Series specifically, petrol is the strongest at 85.8%, and this diesel version sits 4.9 points below the 82% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel BMW 1 Series fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW 1 Series had covered 96,777 miles at test, against 59,339 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 1 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 1 Series

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.3% of tests (4.5x the national rate for this defect)
2. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 1.2% of tests (3.88x the national rate for this defect)
3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.7% of tests (2.61x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 4.6% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
5. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.4% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
6. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.4% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.6% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.5% of tests (1.16x the national rate for this defect)

From 34,782 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 1 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 1 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.99% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 1 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.2% of tests (5.65x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 8.5% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.6% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 12.9% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
7. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 1.7% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 13.3% of tests
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 9% of tests, also fails
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.8% of tests

From 34,782 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 1 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 1 Series fuel types

• Petrol BMW 1 Series - 85.8%

All BMW 1 Series MOT data · Every model