Used car guide

2013 BMW X1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 BMW X1s, from 7,017 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,017MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,700typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 BMW X1s than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
    BMW X1
    14.1% All 2013 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
    BMW X1
    2.2% All 2013 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.3% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars. Track rod ends: 0.6% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 BMW X1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    28% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    24% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a BMW X1?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,415Tyres 21%
20217,607Tyres 23%
20207,668Tyres 25%
201913,609Tyres 28%
201814,640Tyres 28%
201713,907Tyres 27%
201612,498Tyres 27%
20154,602Tyres 29%
20147,695Tyres 33%
20125,131Tyres 34%
20115,666Tyres 35%
20104,409Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 BMW X1s registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score