2020 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 25,657 MOT tests, the 2020 BMW X1 recorded a 92.5% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 7.9%, so the 2020 X1 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.0% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and tread depth — washers alone was recorded 266 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.1% in the 0-30k band and 11.8% in the 120-150k band, a 5.6-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.3% of the time against 8.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,274 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.6% | 407 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 326 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 197 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 109 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 79 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 266 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 257 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 243 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 195 |
| 5 | Wipers | 192 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 100 |
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 | 19.1% | 4,907 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.3% | 1,626 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 1,576 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 602 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 243 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 118 |
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 | 14,563 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 9,583 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,297 | 10.8% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 12.9% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,705 | 7.3% |
| Diesel | 6,426 | 8.0% |
| Hybrid | 2,526 | 7.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 446 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 8,657 | 7.6% |
| 2024 | 8,293 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 8,236 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 X1
On a 2020 X1, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
- Visibility (1.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% 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 2020 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 25,657 2020 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by visibility (1.6%).
Does the 2020 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,657 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.