MOT failure data · 2025

BMW X1 MOT problems

Across every BMW X1 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 11.96% of failure items. The broadest problem area was tyres at 27.66%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common BMW X1 MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	11.96%
2	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	8.66%
3	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	7.91%
4	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	5.74%
5	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	4.71%
6	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	4.5%
7	Washers provides insufficient washer liquid	Visibility	3.41%
8	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.83%
9	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	2.81%
10	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.24%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a BMW X1, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used BMW X1 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific BMW X1?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other BMW models

BMW X1 MOT FAQs

What does a BMW X1 most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on BMW X1 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 11.96% of failure items.

Does this mean my BMW X1 will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every BMW X1 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The BMW X1 passed 85.23% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific BMW X1's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.