2009 BMW 1 Series MOT pass rate: 71.8% (5,418 tests)
Is the 2009 1 Series getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 71.9% +5.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 71.2% +5.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 72.2% +6.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 1 Series
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 813 | 20.7% |
| 2 | Suspension | 774 | 19.7% |
| 3 | Tyres | 658 | 16.7% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 657 | 16.7% |
| 5 | Visibility | 353 | 9.0% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 273 | 6.9% |
All 1 Series years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,751 | 70.7% | +6.2 pts | 130,244 |
| 2006 | 1,800 | 72.0% | +7.6 pts | 133,829 |
| 2007 | 2,786 | 71.3% | +6.2 pts | 118,450 |
| 2008 | 4,080 | 73.1% | +8.0 pts | 113,028 |
| 2009 (this page) | 5,418 | 71.8% | +5.4 pts | 109,250 |
| 2010 | 6,256 | 73.7% | +6.3 pts | 105,302 |
| 2011 | 7,271 | 76.9% | +7.7 pts | 96,055 |
| 2012 | 39,645 | 74.7% | +3.5 pts | 94,636 |
| 2013 | 46,097 | 77.4% | +4.0 pts | 90,982 |
| 2014 | 5,761 | 85.7% | +9.9 pts | 74,778 |
| 2015 | 4,484 | 88.4% | +9.7 pts | 65,450 |
| 2016 | 8,158 | 89.5% | +8.2 pts | 58,118 |
| 2017 | 22,079 | 89.0% | +5.0 pts | 53,417 |
| 2018 | 36,184 | 89.2% | +2.8 pts | 47,239 |
| 2019 | 45,064 | 88.8% | +0.4 pts | 38,427 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: BMW 1 Series years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2009 BMW 1 Series reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 71.8% of their MOT tests (5,418 tests, 2023–2025), +5.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 109,250 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 1 Series?
The median tested example shows 109,250 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2009 1 Series?
In this cohort petrols pass 75.1% of tests against 69.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.