2021 BMW iX — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 BMW iX passed 87.8% of its 746 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 8.9% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 9.8% of tests against 1.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 iX fails 11.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.6% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 9.8% | 73 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.6% | 12 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 11 |
| 4 | Steering | 0.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 27 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 19 |
| 3 | Wipers | 11 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Electronic power steering | 3 |
| 6 | Washers | 2 |
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 | 22.5% | 168 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.5% | 26 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 21 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 368 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 333 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 35 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 355 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 386 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 iX
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 9.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (9.8% 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.
- Other defects (1.6% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Visibility (1.5% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 BMW iXs pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 746 2021 BMW iX MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 BMW iX?
Tyres, recorded in 9.8% of tests, followed by other defects (1.6%).
Does the 2021 iX get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 746 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.