2006 Bmw 1 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 64,163 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Bmw 1 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 77.1% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.5% in the 150k+ group versus 10.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 8,008 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 6,568 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.0% | 5,138 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 4,503 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 4,220 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 3,023 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 4,194 |
| 2 | Flexible brake hoses | 3,583 |
| 3 | Washers | 3,392 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,301 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 3,110 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,882 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 45.8% | 29,384 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 19,310 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.3% | 18,774 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 10,472 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 9,121 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 7,279 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 332 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,722 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 9,580 | 18.3% |
| 90-120k | 18,185 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 17,742 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 15,566 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 32,959 | 23.9% |
| Petrol | 31,191 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,245 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 15,267 | 22.6% |
| 2023 | 12,907 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 10,536 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 8,208 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 1 Series
Before buying a 2006 Bmw 1 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (8.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Bmw 1 Seriess pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 64,163 2006 Bmw 1 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Bmw 1 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 2006 1 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 64,163 MOT tests. 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.