Compare BMW 1 Series immobiliser fault repair quotes from specialist garages

Looming hundreds of feet up in Munich's skyline is BMW's headquarters, a vast and impressive building designed to look like four engine cylinders - the configuration that drove much of the brand's early success.

BMW has come a long way since 1927, when it produced its first car, the Dixi, shortly to be renamed the BMW 3/15. In 2022, it was awarded 'Best Manufacturer' at the AutoCar Britain's Best Car Awards, and the same year, it triumphed at the WhatCar? Awards, winning more accolades than any other brand. The M5 special edition, celebrating 20 years of BMW motorsport, is one of the rarest M automobiles in the world.

See how BMW's maintenance prices compare to Audi and Mercedes in this guide.

An immobiliser is a security device that prevents a vehicle from starting without the correct key fob. It usually disables two of the following: the fuel system, ignition or starter motor.

If you're having trouble unlocking or starting your car, you can't turn the car key, or the alarm is going off, you may need to call a car immobiliser specialist. However, check the battery in your key fob first, especially if you can't lock/unlock your car, as this is the most common cause of immobiliser issues.

Other potential causes include damaged wiring, faulty actuators or sensors, damaged receiver rings, and a faulty ECU, all of which require a car immobiliser fault repair.

Fortunately, car locksmiths usually offer mobile immobiliser repair, so you don't need to go to a garage, and they can add or remove keys from the immobiliser system if there is a problem with the coding.