BMW X1: what fails at MOT
154,000 MOT tests on the BMW X1 in 2024, counted. 15.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
15.1% of BMW X1 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 20.5%, so the X1 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.7% of tests), lights and electrics (2.5% of tests) and suspension (2.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,534 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 23,500 15,900 to 33,200 |
| 2020 | 13,080 | 8.5% | 11.5% | 27,500 19,100 to 37,800 |
| 2019 | 21,638 | 9.0% | 13.4% | 33,400 24,000 to 44,800 |
| 2018 | 21,771 | 11.8% | 15.6% | 42,900 31,200 to 56,200 |
| 2017 | 19,385 | 12.3% | 18.2% | 54,500 40,700 to 69,900 |
| 2016 | 16,935 | 12.6% | 21.3% | 61,900 46,300 to 78,100 |
| 2015 | 5,922 | 18.4% | 24.4% | 69,400 53,300 to 86,200 |
| 2014 | 10,051 | 23.4% | 27.7% | 78,300 61,300 to 96,800 |
| 2013 | 9,887 | 23.4% | 30.6% | 83,400 64,300 to 103,000 |
| 2012 | 7,314 | 27.8% | 33.4% | 94,700 74,800 to 115,500 |
| 2011 | 7,858 | 27.1% | 36.1% | 102,600 81,800 to 126,100 |
| 2010 | 6,067 | 27.8% | 38.6% | 109,800 87,900 to 132,900 |
| 2009 | 605 | 27.6% | 39.8% | 117,300 99,000 to 136,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW X1 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | X1 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.7% | 3.8% | |
| Lights and electrics | 2.5% | 4.7% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 2.1% | 3.6% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.6% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.6% | 1.3% | |
| Body and structure | 0.5% | 1.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Seat belt2.7%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Washers1.0%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Wipers0.5%
- Headlamp0.5%
- Side light0.5%
- Coil spring0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.5%
- Side light: not working0.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.4%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.1%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a BMW X1's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.