Does the BMW X1 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The BMW X1 records 4.68 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.55 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.87, 95% interval −2.94 to −2.79). It ranks 423 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a BMW X1 by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW X1 is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 16,893 times in 2019–2024.

BMW X1: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wording	Items	Per 100 tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	16,893	3.36
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	2,472	0.49
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage	1,971	0.39
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated	501	0.10
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	479	0.10

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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

13.2% of BMW X1 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 7,221 miles later (21,793 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 21,793 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Does the BMW X1 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

What exactly fails on suspension?

If a BMW X1 gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

Related pages

Other pages for this model