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BMW X1 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 734,782 MOT tests of cars first registered 2009–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
83.1%pass first time
+6.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 87%of cars
734,782MOT tests

Verdict

The BMW X1 passes its MOT first time on 83.1% of tests, 6.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (77.0%). That puts it ahead of 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 X1 does best (beats 95% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 78%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 91%) and the 1.5 Petrol worst (beats 79%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension arm bushes2.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%34567891011121314151690%88%84%79%73%70%68%
BMW X1Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2009
Beats 89%
2010
Beats 92%
2011
Beats 90%
2012
Beats 85%
2013
Beats 85%
2014
Beats 78%
2015
Beats 86%
2016
Beats 95%
2017
Beats 90%
2018
Beats 81%
2019
Beats 86%
2020
Beats 85%
2021
Beats 85%
2022
Beats 87%
2023
Beats 98%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2009–2022553,19681.0%Beats 87%A
2.0 Petrol2013–2022119,83789.5%Beats 91%A
1.5 Petrol2017–202248,28988.7%Beats 79%B
1.5 Hybrid2020–202312,41989.6%Beats 88%A
2.0 Hybrid2022–20221,04194.0%Beats 98%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 3.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.6 ptsTyres: 6.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 3.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.2 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.0 ptsSuspension: 3.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 4.3% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.6 ptsTyres: 6.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.2 ptsBrakes: 2.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 3.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+2.2 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
6.4% vs 6.1%
Lights & electrics
4.3% vs 7.9%
Suspension
3.5% vs 5.7%
Brakes
2.9% vs 4.7%
Visibility
2.7% vs 4.0%
Emissions & leaks
0.8% vs 1.8%
Body & structure
0.8% vs 1.8%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.5%
Steering
0.2% vs 1.1%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 2.4× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k95%90%86%81%76%72%69%67%
BMW X1Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.3%3.5%1.2×
Headlight aim2.0%2.4%0.8×
Tyre tread depth1.9%2.4%0.8×
Suspension arm bushes1.8%0.8%2.4×
Windscreen washers1.7%1.7%1.0×
Brake pads1.5%2.0%0.7×
Headlight bulbs & units0.9%1.4%0.6×
Windscreen wipers0.8%2.1%0.4×
Sidelights0.7%1.6%0.4×
Coil springs0.7%1.8%0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged26.9
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn22.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements19.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements19.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen16.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged16.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm11.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen8.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 BMW X11 engine93.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Hybrid1,06693.4%Beats 98%A
2022 BMW X15 engines91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,68592.0%Beats 87%A
1.5 Hybrid2,75589.2%Beats 82%A
2.0 Diesel2,16291.6%Beats 93%A
1.5 Petrol1,98991.1%Beats 80%A
2.0 Hybrid1,04194.0%Beats 98%A
2021 BMW X14 engines90.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol9,18490.9%Beats 82%A
1.5 Hybrid5,69988.8%Beats 86%A
1.5 Petrol3,58190.9%Beats 84%A
2.0 Diesel3,05891.0%Beats 93%A
2020 BMW X14 engines90.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol12,63790.4%Beats 83%A
2.0 Diesel7,43589.7%Beats 88%A
1.5 Petrol6,81390.2%Beats 85%A
1.5 Hybrid2,89990.2%Beats 91%A
2019 BMW X13 engines89.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol29,92489.9%Beats 88%A
1.5 Petrol18,84289.1%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel18,04587.8%Beats 83%A
2018 BMW X13 engines87.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel46,10686.3%Beats 80%B
2.0 Petrol26,64489.2%Beats 88%A
1.5 Petrol14,49587.0%Beats 72%B
2017 BMW X13 engines87.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel78,62486.4%Beats 89%A
2.0 Petrol14,25790.3%Beats 97%A
1.5 Petrol2,56985.9%Beats 64%B
2016 BMW X12 engines86.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel84,29086.4%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol13,82189.0%Beats 96%A
2015 BMW X12 engines83.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel39,01583.0%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol1,83987.9%Beats 96%A
2014 BMW X12 engines78.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel66,53178.5%Beats 77%B
2.0 Petrol2,63883.1%Beats 85%A
2013 BMW X12 engines77.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel59,38977.4%Beats 85%A
2.0 Petrol4,20883.4%Beats 95%A
2012 BMW X11 engine74.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel47,95774.9%Beats 85%A
2011 BMW X11 engine74.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel53,45974.1%Beats 90%A
2010 BMW X11 engine72.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel43,20972.9%Beats 92%A
2009 BMW X11 engine70.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,91670.1%Beats 89%A

FAQ

What is the BMW X1 MOT pass rate?

83.1% of MOT tests on the BMW X1 were passed first time, based on 734,782 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2009–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 77.0% of the time.

Is the BMW X1 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 87% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which BMW X1 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 X1 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 95% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 78%.

Which BMW X1 engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 91% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Petrol does worst: it beats 79%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the BMW X1?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.