Known APK problem
BMW 1-serie E87: leaks
On the BMW 1-serie E87 the APK inspector finds leaks problems 70% more often than on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 9.3%, against about 5.5% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Leaks of oil, coolant or other fluids.
How to check it at the viewing
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
Ask the seller: Does the car lose oil or coolant?
By age
Share of inspected BMW 1-serie E87s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | 1-serie E87 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 – 15 years | C | 9.3% | 5.5% | 1.7× |
| 16+ years | C | 16.6% | 11.9% | 1.4× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 13–15 years
| Model | Leaks | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 1-serie E87 | 9.3% | 1.7× |
| Renault Mégane III | 4.2% | 0.8× |
| Mazda Mazda2 (DE) | 2.3% | 0.4× |
| Volkswagen Golf Plus | 5.7% | 1.0× |
| Škoda Yeti | 10.3% | 1.9× |
| Nissan Pixo | 2.0% | 0.4× |
Looking at a BMW 1-serie E87? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW 1-serie E87s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW 1-serie E87 · Leaks: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 1-serie E87 often have leaks problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a leaks defect on 9.3% of inspected BMW 1-serie E87s, against about 5.5% of all cars of the same age (1.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the leaks on a used BMW 1-serie E87?
Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know