2016 BMW 1 Series (first used 2016) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 79.6% of BMW 1 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 96,595 1 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 1 Series cars first used in 2016 (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
79.6%
of 31,914 first tests; all cars first used in 2016: 74.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
96,595
first tests, 2023–2025; 31,914 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
45.6%
of 31,914 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
74,500
middle half: 57,500–93,000 miles; all cars first used in 2016: 67,500

How the 2016 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 1 Series cars first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 1 Series figure was 4.7 points higher.

2016 1 SeriesAll cars first used in 2016
70%80%90%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2016, test year 2021: 82.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2022: 80.9%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2023: 78.6%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2024: 76.7%All cars first used in 2016, test year 2025: 74.9%2016 1 Series, test year 2021: 85.2%2016 1 Series, test year 2022: 83.8%2016 1 Series, test year 2023: 82%2016 1 Series, test year 2024: 80.4%2016 1 Series, test year 2025: 79.6%79.6%74.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year2016 1 SeriesAll cars first used 20161 Series first tests
202185.2%82.7%32,971
202283.8%80.9%32,715
202382.0%78.6%32,460
202480.4%76.7%32,221
202579.6%74.9%31,914

Common 2016 BMW 1 Series MOT failures

Share of the 18,674 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%.

Tyres35.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment33.2%
Brakes17.1%
Visibility16.4%
Suspension11.0%
Noise, emissions and leaks8.2%
Road Wheels5.1%
Body, chassis, structure3.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm15.0%2,802
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.8%1,645
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam8.8%1,642
Headlamp aim: too low8.4%1,568
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid7.5%1,402

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

What to check on a 2016 BMW 1 Series before buying

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

  1. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  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 2016 BMW 1 Series MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 1 Series cars, as a share of all 96,595 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.5%16,888
Brake pads: wearing thin9.5%9,197
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%7,210
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.3%4,117
Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.3%3,199

Questions about the 2016 BMW 1 Series MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 BMW 1 Series?

In 2025, 79.6% of 1 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2016 1 Series most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 35.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (33.2%) and brakes (17.1%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (15.0%).

How often does a 2016 BMW 1 Series fail its MOT?

In 2025, 20.4% of first tests on 1 Series cars first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 16.1% failed, and a further 4.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 18,674 of 96,595 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2016 BMW 1 Series MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.3%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (3.3%).

Is a 2016 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 85.2% in 2021 to 79.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2016

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

2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2016 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. “2016 1 Series” means a BMW 1 Series whose date of first use falls in 2016 (65, 16 and 66 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 2016, 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.