Used car guide

2016 BMW X1: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 BMW X1s, from 12,498 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,498MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,800typical miles a year
27%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2016 BMW X1 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Suspension
    16% 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.

  • Brakes
    15% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    7% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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%
20154,602Tyres 29%
20147,695Tyres 33%
20137,017Tyres 34%
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 2016 BMW X1s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score