2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 BMW X1 MOT pass rate and common faults

385 MOT tests in 2024. 68.6% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time68.6%
Failed or needed repairs31.4%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 385 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.0%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.9%
    21 marked dangerous
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    17 marked dangerous
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.1%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension16.9%
  2. Lights & electrics13.8%
  3. Brakes11.4%
  4. Tyres8.1%
  5. Body & chassis4.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.6%
  8. Wheels1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm25.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.1%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All X1 years2010 X1 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 BMW X1?

In 2024, 68.6% of 2009 BMW X1 cars passed their MOT first time, across 385 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 BMW X1?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 BMW X1 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).