CarCostCheck

BMW 1 SERIES (2009)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,810 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1857/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific BMW 1 SERIES

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel1995cc17 years old3,810 tests113k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,857
Per month£155/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 1 SERIES

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

79% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 17 years old, 79% of BMW 1 SERIESs from 2009 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,810 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 113,355 miles.

Got a BMW 1 SERIES you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2009 cars225th of 575(top 39%)
Rank among BMW models1378th of 1,564(top 88%)
vs national average-3%(82% avg)
vs 2009 cars average+4%(75% avg)
vs BMW average-9%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

113,355

Average miles

vs

125,800

Expected for age

The average 2009 BMW 1 SERIES has 113,355 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 125,800 miles for a 17-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific BMW 1 SERIES?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 99% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2009 sits between the two at 79%.

BMW 1 SERIES by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2024100%3056,153 mi
202099%6834,205 mi
201991%32,81941,619 mi
201892%27,96550,440 mi
201792%19,05356,121 mi
201692%7,70660,320 mi
201592%4,01067,427 mi
201490%5,13576,509 mi
201384%34,10593,913 mi
201282%29,74197,892 mi
201182%5,25297,748 mi
201080%4,356109,865 mi
200979%3,810113,355 mi
200880%2,841117,331 mi
200778%1,973120,685 mi
200677%1,195136,390 mi
200573%1,066137,675 mi
200472%331127,703 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Bmw 1 series

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES

The 2009 BMW 1 SERIES is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 3,810 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2009, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 113,355 miles at 17 years old, BMW 1 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2009 BMW 1 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2009 BMW 1 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 1 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 1 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2009 BMW 1 SERIES

At 17 years old, the BMW 1 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 99%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 113k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2009 BMW 1 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 1 SERIES(2009)79%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2011)78%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2010)74%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)74%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£262
BMW 3 SERIES(2011)81%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1577-£280

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw 1 series.

Check a specific BMW 1 SERIES

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a BMW 1 SERIES? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB