2021 BMW X1 MOT pass rate: 92.6% (11,179 tests)
Is the 2021 X1 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91.8% +1.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 93.4% +3.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2021 X1
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 721 | 64.9% |
| 2 | Visibility | 82 | 7.4% |
| 3 | Brakes | 78 | 7.0% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 76 | 6.8% |
| 5 | Suspension | 41 | 3.7% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 36 | 3.2% |
All X1 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 13,901 | 74.3% | +7.0 pts | 109,496 |
| 2011 | 17,598 | 74.9% | +5.7 pts | 102,371 |
| 2012 | 15,907 | 74.8% | +3.6 pts | 94,572 |
| 2013 | 21,245 | 77.5% | +4.2 pts | 85,166 |
| 2014 | 23,065 | 77.9% | +2.0 pts | 79,166 |
| 2015 | 13,754 | 82.9% | +4.2 pts | 69,718 |
| 2016 | 37,141 | 87.4% | +6.1 pts | 62,068 |
| 2017 | 41,211 | 88.9% | +4.9 pts | 54,616 |
| 2018 | 43,305 | 89.8% | +3.5 pts | 43,010 |
| 2019 | 40,616 | 91.7% | +3.3 pts | 33,791 |
| 2020 | 20,875 | 92.0% | +2.0 pts | 26,914 |
| 2021 (this page) | 11,179 | 92.6% | +2.2 pts | 25,164 |
| 2022 | 4,372 | 92.8% | +1.6 pts | 22,840 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: BMW X1 years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2021 BMW X1 reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 92.6% of their MOT tests (11,179 tests, 2023–2025), +2.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 25,164 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 X1?
The median tested example shows 25,164 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.