2019 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
60,337 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW X1 are in this dataset, and 92.3% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), the 2019 X1 comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.7%) and lighting & signalling (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,199 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 X1 fails 6.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.4% of the time against 8.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 2,861 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 1,334 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 1,093 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 510 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 364 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 260 |
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 | 1,199 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 657 |
| 3 | Washers | 617 |
| 4 | Wipers | 577 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 488 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 342 |
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 | 22.8% | 13,737 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 4,358 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.9% | 4,180 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,663 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 1,051 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 474 |
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 | 30,249 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 25,083 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,371 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 549 | 11.8% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 7.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 43,921 | 7.4% |
| Diesel | 16,416 | 8.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 781 | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 15,260 | 7.7% |
| 2023 | 15,040 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 14,605 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 14,651 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2019 X1
On a 2019 X1, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.7% 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 (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.8% 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 2019 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 60,337 2019 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2019 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 60,337 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.