2016 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
69,350 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW X1 are in this dataset, and 89.9% of them passed. That is 4.0 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 14.1%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and lighting & signalling (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,461 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.6% once past 150k — 3.1× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 8.5% fail against 10.3% for diesel, a 1.8-point gap across 69,350 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 3,000 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 1,950 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.7% | 1,852 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1,494 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.5% | 1,023 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 334 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,461 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,235 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,128 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 930 |
| 5 | Washers | 913 |
| 6 | Wipers | 773 |
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 | 23.0% | 15,969 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 7,822 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.1% | 5,584 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 3,979 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 2,333 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 773 |
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 | 8,979 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 31,649 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 20,612 | 12.0% |
| 90-120k | 6,251 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,488 | 17.5% |
| 150k+ | 366 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 59,694 | 10.3% |
| Petrol | 9,656 | 8.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,702 | 7.8% |
| 2022 | 13,696 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 13,957 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 13,870 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 14,125 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 X1
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 (2.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.7% 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.
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 2016 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 69,350 2016 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.8%).
Does the 2016 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 69,350 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.