2018 BMW X1 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 85.9% of BMW X1s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 44,198 X1 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW X1s first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 BMW X1 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, X1s first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the X1 figure was 5.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 X1 | All cars first used 2018 | X1 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.4% | 87.6% | 15,831 |
| 2022 | 89.5% | 86.3% | 15,162 |
| 2023 | 88.2% | 84.2% | 14,831 |
| 2024 | 86.9% | 82.5% | 14,720 |
| 2025 | 85.9% | 80.9% | 14,647 |
Common 2018 BMW X1 MOT failures
Share of the 5,740 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 17.9% | 1,030 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.6% | 496 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 7.5% | 433 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.8% | 391 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 6.5% | 375 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 BMW X1 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2018 BMW X1 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 X1s, as a share of all 44,198 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.3% | 5,881 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.6% | 5,118 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.2% | 3,202 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.9% | 1,727 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 2.8% | 1,220 |
Questions about the 2018 BMW X1 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 BMW X1?
In 2025, 85.9% of X1s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 X1 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 37.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (23.7%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (17.3%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (17.9%).
How often does a 2018 BMW X1 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 14.1% of first tests on X1s first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 11.1% failed, and a further 3.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,740 of 44,198 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 BMW X1 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.2%), “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.9%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (2.8%).
Is a 2018 BMW X1 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 88.4% in 2021 to 85.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 X1?
The numbers above cover every X1 first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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