2014 BMW 1 Series (first used 2014) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 73.4% of BMW 1 Series cars first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 92,058 1 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, tyres and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 1 Series cars first used in 2014 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
73.4%
of 30,097 first tests; all cars first used in 2014: 68.6%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
92,058
first tests, 2023–2025; 30,097 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
36.4%
of 30,097 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
90,500
middle half: 71,000–112,000 miles; all cars first used in 2014: 80,500

How the 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 1 Series cars first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 1 Series figure was 4.8 points higher.

2014 1 SeriesAll cars first used in 2014
60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2014, test year 2021: 76.3%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2022: 74.1%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2023: 71.7%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2024: 69.9%All cars first used in 2014, test year 2025: 68.6%2014 1 Series, test year 2021: 78.7%2014 1 Series, test year 2022: 77.2%2014 1 Series, test year 2023: 75.6%2014 1 Series, test year 2024: 74.1%2014 1 Series, test year 2025: 73.4%73.4%68.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year2014 1 SeriesAll cars first used 20141 Series first tests
202178.7%76.3%32,108
202277.2%74.1%31,679
202375.6%71.7%31,367
202474.1%69.9%30,594
202573.4%68.6%30,097

Common 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT failures

Share of the 23,563 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment45.6%
Tyres31.4%
Brakes18.9%
Visibility17.8%
Suspension13.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks5.2%
Road Wheels4.5%
Body, chassis, structure2.6%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working19.6%4,625
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm13.4%3,153
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.3%1,966
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam7.7%1,820
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid7.5%1,759

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2014 BMW 1 Series before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 1 Series cars, as a share of all 92,058 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge19.2%17,630
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.6%9,765
Brake pads: wearing thin10.2%9,379
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)7.0%6,448
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.8%4,453

Questions about the 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 BMW 1 Series?

In 2025, 73.4% of 1 Series cars first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2014 1 Series most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 45.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (31.4%) and brakes (18.9%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (19.6%).

How often does a 2014 BMW 1 Series fail its MOT?

In 2025, 26.6% of first tests on 1 Series cars first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 20.3% failed, and a further 6.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 23,563 of 92,058 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.2%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (7.0%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.8%).

Is a 2014 BMW 1 Series reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 78.7% in 2021 to 73.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2014

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2014 BMW 1 Series MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2014 1 Series” means a BMW 1 Series whose date of first use falls in 2014 (63, 14 and 64 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2014, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.