2015 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 BMW X1 passed 86.6% of its 26,758 recorded MOT tests. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 16.4% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and suspension (4.3%) 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 1,087 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.9% versus 7.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.5pp more often than petrol ones (13.6% vs 10.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,505 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.3% | 1,156 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 1,130 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 692 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 620 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 163 |
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 | 1,087 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 672 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 643 |
| 4 | Washers | 479 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 449 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 334 |
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 | 23.5% | 6,288 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 4,041 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 2,451 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.0% | 2,131 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 909 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 355 |
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 | 1,823 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 10,494 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 9,678 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,494 | 17.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,014 | 19.1% |
| 150k+ | 253 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 25,600 | 13.6% |
| Petrol | 1,158 | 10.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,269 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 5,342 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 5,360 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 5,375 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 5,412 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2015 X1
On a 2015 X1, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.6% 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 (4.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.2% 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 2015 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 26,758 2015 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by suspension (4.3%).
Does the 2015 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,758 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.