2013 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 BMW X1 passed 82.3% of its 43,345 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.9 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 20.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (7.0%) and suspension (5.9%) 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 washers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,940 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 19.9% in the 150k+ band, a 11.6-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.1pp more often than petrol ones (18.0% vs 13.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.0% | 3,014 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 2,558 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.9% | 2,125 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 2,006 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 1,320 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 614 |
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 | 2,940 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,625 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,033 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,017 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 845 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 612 |
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 | 26.0% | 11,260 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.6% | 8,946 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.8% | 5,970 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.6% | 3,707 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,748 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 1,351 |
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 | 991 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 9,761 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 17,427 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 10,957 | 21.0% |
| 120-150k | 3,286 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 920 | 19.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 40,571 | 18.0% |
| Petrol | 2,774 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,643 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 8,743 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 8,718 | 17.7% |
| 2024 | 8,715 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | 8,526 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 X1
On a 2013 X1, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.0% 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.
- Suspension (5.9% 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.
- Brakes (4.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2013 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 43,345 2013 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2013 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 19.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,345 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.