2008 BMW 1 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 BMW 1 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 BMW 1 Series than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Flexible brake hoses6.4× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  25.7% All 2008 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  14.8% All 2008 cars

  8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Sub-frame1.8× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  14% All 2008 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Airbag warning light2.7× usual
  BMW 1 Series

  2.7% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2008 BMW 1 Series MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 BMW 1 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  43% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  39% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  33% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  19% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2008 BMW 1 Series

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fuel filter heater: flat battery and fire risk (diesel, built Aug 2008 to June 2009)

  2.0 diesel, built 2008 to 2009

  Moisture can get into an electrical connection at the fuel filter, draining the battery so it won't start, with a fire risk if it happens while parked after driving.

  At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm the fix was done.

  Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

• Power steering warning (built June 2007 to Dec 2011)

  Built from June 2007

  A part in the steering control module can fail, lighting the EPS warning and making the steering heavier.

  At the viewing: Make sure the steering light goes out and the steering feels light.

  Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

• Rear axle, brake servo and airbag faults

  Some cars

  Faults to have been fixed: loose rear control arm joints (built May to Sept 2004), a leaking brake servo seal (built March 2006) and airbag and seatbelt wiring (built May to July 2008).

  At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding work.

  Source: What Car?: common BMW 1 Series (2004 on) problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 BMW 1 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the fuel filter heater fix been done?
2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the 2008 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 BMW 1 Series as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?