BMW iX MOT pass rate & common failures
6,903 MOT tests on the BMW iX (2021–2024) give it an 88.7% pass rate. That is 2.6 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 8.6%. Its most common failure areas are tyres, visibility and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.2% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and track rod end — tread depth alone was recorded 231 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.8% in the 0-30k band and 14.6% in the 60-90k band, a 4.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every iX model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 746 | 87.8% | 12.2% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 5,939 | 88.7% | 11.3% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 216 | 92.1% | 7.9% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.2% | 568 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.6% | 183 |
| 3 | Steering | 1.1% | 73 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 63 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.7% | 46 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 28 |
| 7 | Suspension | 0.1% | 10 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 231 |
| 2 | Wipers | 169 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 80 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 70 |
| 6 | Washers | 35 |
| 7 | Ball joint | 13 |
| 8 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.0% | 1,520 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.7% | 321 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.2% | 292 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 49 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.6% | 43 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 22 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,628 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,981 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 274 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 527 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 6,368 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a BMW iX
- Tyres (8.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Steering (1.1% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW iX?
88.7% of the 6,903 BMW iX MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 11.3% fail rate, across model years 2021–2024.
What does the BMW iX most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 8.2% of tests, then visibility (2.6%).
How much does mileage affect iX MOT results?
Fail rates run at 9.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 14.6% for 60-90k, a 4.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,903 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.