Does the BMW X1 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The BMW X1 records 0.62 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.75 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.13, 95% interval −1.17 to −1.10). It ranks 461 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a BMW X1 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW X1 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 1,595 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 1,595 | 0.32 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 765 | 0.15 |
| An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels | 236 | 0.05 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 182 | 0.04 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 142 | 0.03 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 503,065 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a BMW X1 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
2.8% of BMW X1 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 11.9 months and 8,417 miles later (2,501 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,501 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
BMW X1 2009 · BMW X1 2010 · BMW X1 2011 · BMW X1 2012 · BMW X1 2013 · BMW X1 2014 · BMW X1 2015 · BMW X1 2016 · BMW X1 2017 · BMW X1 2018 · BMW X1 2019 · BMW X1 2020 · BMW X1 in Norway · BMW X1 in Finland · BMW X1 in the Netherlands · BMW X1 by postcode area · BMW X1 body, chassis and structure failures · BMW X1 brakes failures · BMW X1 vehicle identification failures · BMW X1 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · BMW X1 road wheels failures · BMW X1 seat belts and airbags failures · BMW X1 steering failures · BMW X1 suspension failures · BMW X1 tyres failures · BMW X1 visibility failures