Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 BMW 1 Series?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 BMW 1 Series?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 BMW 1 Series?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2017 BMW 1 Series vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 BMW 1 Series?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 1 Series (2017)

7,671 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.1% first-time pass rate

2017 BMW 1 Series

CarHunch analysed 7,671 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW 1 Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 11.1% above UK average

91.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

40,551

typical mileage

31,389–50,159 middle half

26.4%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.68

avg MOT failures per car

over 6.7 tests on record

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

91.8%

Petrol

5,908 vehicles

88.9%

Diesel

1,763 vehicles

What to check before buying a 2017 BMW 1 Series

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
⚠️ 26.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW 1 Series

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (77%)	5,908	91.8%	0.63
Diesel (23%)	1,763	88.9%	0.84

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 BMW 1 Series vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

31,389

low mileage

40,551

typical

50,159

high mileage

Half of all 2017 BMW 1 Series vehicles fall between 31,389 and 50,159 miles.

2017 BMW 1 Series — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 7,027 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.68

Avg failures per vehicle

4.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW 1 Series?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — BMW 1 Series:

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019