Is the BMW 1 Series ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 395,095 MOT tests, around 57% of BMW 1 Series still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 31% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 12%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 57% diesel, 43% petrol. Diesel 1 Series are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol 1 Series in the data (2004 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 57%
- Likely charged
- 31%
- Depends on the car
- 12%
- MOT tests analysed
- 395,095
Check a specific 1 Series
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
1 Series ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 1 Series of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant333 tested | Likely compliant1,046 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant5,221 tested | Likely compliant16,656 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant7,164 tested | Likely compliant20,903 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant10,162 tested | Likely compliant17,264 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant17,529 tested | Likely compliant15,854 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant20,385 tested | Likely compliant12,033 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car21,230 tested | Likely compliant10,852 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car20,514 tested | Likely compliant10,842 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged25,802 tested | Likely compliant11,867 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged20,793 tested | Likely compliant9,204 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged17,038 tested | Likely compliant6,572 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged17,736 tested | Likely compliant6,908 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged13,917 tested | Likely compliant7,516 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged10,463 tested | Likely compliant7,210 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged6,176 tested | Likely compliant5,671 tested |
| 2006 | Likely charged5,303 tested | Likely compliant5,100 tested |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,594 tested | Check Euro standard3,089 tested |
| 2004 | Likely charged1,098 tested | Check Euro standard993 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 1 Series
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (57% of 1 Series tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (43% of 1 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
1 Series from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (12% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 1 Series fare at the MOT too: see the BMW 1 Series MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW 1 Series for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW 1 Series in this data were first registered between 2004 and 2021. 2013 was the most common year, with 37,671 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
1 Series from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 80% of the time, at an average of 62,403 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 68% of the time with 101,354 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 1 Series likely to comply are from 2016. 20,385 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 82% of the time and averaged 61,559 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 1 Series likely to comply are from 2006. 5,100 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 62% of the time and averaged 124,350 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 1 Series's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (3.6% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.1%); suspension: "has a serious fluid leak" (2.2%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.9% of tests.
Overall, 76% of 1 Series passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 76,502 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 395,095 first MOT tests of the BMW 1 Series carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 395,095 MOT tests say about the BMW 1 Series and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW 1 Series ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 57% of 1 Series on the road are likely compliant and 31% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 1 Series years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 1 Series first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 1 Series ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 1 Series from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 1 Series is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your 1 Series ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.