Reliability report
BMW X1 reliability and common faults
Based on 119,022 roadworthiness tests, led by the UK MOT. Each country is compared only with its own average for cars of the same age.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · MOT
14.9%
fail rate · average 19.3%
much better than average
107,849 MOT tests (DVSA)
🇳🇱 Netherlands · APK
34.2%
with defects · average 39.4%
much better than average
4,163 APK inspections (RDW)
🇱🇹 Lithuania · inspection
69.2%
first-time pass · average 67.7%
about average
7,010 inspections
Testing regimes differ from country to country – don’t compare the figures between countries; compare each one only with its own average. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Weak spots
What goes wrong on the BMW X1
How often each area fails compared with the average car of the same age (vertical line = average, 100%). Red – more often than average.
Body and structure
Wheels
Tyres
Plates and identification
Visibility
Suspension
Brakes
Lights and electrics
Exhaust and emissions
Seat belts and airbags
Steering
Most common test failures
- 1Tyre pressure not at correct value
- 2Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm
- 3Low beam incorrectly adjusted
- 4Tyre insufficient tread
- 5Excessive leakage of other fluids
- 6Mechanical parts of the brake system show wear
- 7Tyre damaged
- 8Windscreen wiper system gives insufficient visibility
- 9Engine mount rubber torn / vulcanisation completely detached
- 10Brake hose rubs against a part
- 11Rear light not working (properly)
- 12eCall onboard system warning indicator shows fault
Results by vehicle age
| Age | 🇬🇧 MOT fail rate | 🇳🇱 APK defects |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 7.7% avg 9.9% | 21.7% avg 27.0% |
| 6–8 years | 10.8% avg 15.3% | 40.7% avg 36.7% |
| 9–11 years | 17.8% avg 22.9% | 40.8% avg 44.4% |
| 12–15 years | 25.5% avg 30.3% | 49.1% avg 55.4% |
| 16–20 years | 29.8% avg 34.6% | 51.9% avg 64.7% |
🇱🇹 First-time pass rate in Lithuania – by year of manufacture
| Year | X1 | Average for year | Inspections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 62.3% | 86.7% | 53 |
| 2020 | 74.0% | 78.6% | 50 |
| 2019 | 77.5% | 83.2% | 213 |
| 2018 | 73.7% | 79.5% | 429 |
| 2017 | 68.8% | 76.6% | 544 |
| 2016 | 68.8% | 72.8% | 877 |
| 2015 | 71.6% | 71.1% | 571 |
| 2014 | 70.4% | 68.0% | 825 |
| 2013 | 69.0% | 65.9% | 877 |
| 2012 | 69.0% | 63.7% | 778 |
| 2011 | 68.9% | 61.2% | 595 |
| 2010 | 64.8% | 57.3% | 1,021 |
| 2009 | 67.3% | 54.5% | 168 |
BMW X1 – FAQs
How reliable is the BMW X1?+
In the UK the BMW X1 fails 14.9% of MOT tests, against an average of 19.3% for cars of the same age – much better than average. In the Netherlands, inspectors found defects at 34.2% of APK inspections (average there 39.4%) – much better than average. In Lithuania 69.2% pass their roadworthiness test first time (average for those years there 67.7%) – about average.
What goes wrong most often on the BMW X1?+
Compared with the average car of the same age, testers find faults more often in these areas: body and structure.
What should I check when buying a used BMW X1?+
The most common inspection failures: Tyre pressure not at correct value; Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm; Low beam incorrectly adjusted; Tyre insufficient tread; Excessive leakage of other fluids. Before you buy, also check the free MOT history on GOV.UK and the car’s history by reg or VIN (mileage, damage, theft).
More BMW models
Sources: anonymised MOT test results (DVSA) – contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0; APK inspection defects (RDW, open data); Lithuanian roadworthiness test results (data.gov.lt). Initial tests only; retests are not counted. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (licence).