2021 BMW X1 — MOT failures & pass rate
17,018 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW X1 are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests against 1.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 193 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.1% in the 0-30k band and 10.9% in the 90-120k band, a 4.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 6.8% fail against 9.3% for hybrid, a 2.4-point gap across 14,589 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 941 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 225 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 194 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 74 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 43 |
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 | 193 |
| 2 | Washers | 179 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 126 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 72 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 46 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 42 |
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 | 19.2% | 3,273 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.2% | 1,046 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 704 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 432 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 133 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 82 |
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 | 9,563 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 6,302 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 956 | 8.9% |
| 90-120k | 175 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,954 | 6.8% |
| Hybrid | 4,635 | 9.3% |
| Diesel | 2,429 | 7.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 371 | 5.4% |
| 2024 | 8,533 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 8,079 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X1
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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 (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% 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 2021 BMW X1s pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 17,018 2021 BMW X1 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 BMW X1?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Does the 2021 X1 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,018 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.