2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 BMW X1 MOT pass rate and common faults

4,858 MOT tests in 2024. 69.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

108Well above average
Passed first time69.7%
Failed or needed repairs30.3%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,858 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    314 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.8%
    197 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    161 marked dangerous
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.3%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
  7. Side repeaters: not working1.6%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%
  10. Position lamp: not working1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension11.2%
  2. Tyres10.5%
  3. Lights & electrics10.5%
  4. Brakes10.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  6. Body & chassis2.9%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.1%
  8. Steering0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.6%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.0%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.1%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 BMW X1?

In 2024, 69.7% of 2012 BMW X1 cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,858 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 BMW X1?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 BMW X1 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 108, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).