2011 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
37,033 MOT tests on the 2011 BMW X1 are in this dataset, and 80.7% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 23.6% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.4%) and tyres (7.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,646 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.3% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.4% | 2,728 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.1% | 2,646 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 2,431 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.2% | 1,942 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 1,244 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 701 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 2,646 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,692 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,349 |
| 4 | Washers | 905 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 874 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 787 |
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 | 28.0% | 10,351 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.4% | 7,940 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 6,953 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.8% | 3,635 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 1,832 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 1,575 |
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 | 299 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,697 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 11,393 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 12,633 | 20.6% |
| 120-150k | 6,423 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,585 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 36,647 | 19.4% |
| Petrol | 385 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,509 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 7,647 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 7,575 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 7,316 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 6,986 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 X1
On a 2011 X1, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Tyres (7.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2011 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
80.7% of the 37,033 2011 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW X1?
Suspension, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by tyres (7.1%).
Does the 2011 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,033 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.