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BMW X1 steering problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 55,045 MOT tests · Updated

At 6 years, 0.0 in 100 MOT tests of the BMW X1 failed on steering, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 55,045 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 19 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 13 ages from 3 to 15 years, 414,040 MOT tests
  • MOT tests at 6 years: 55,045 for the BMW X1

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

0.0 fails per 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 6 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

BMW X1 steering fails by age

BMW X1 steering fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the BMW X1. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.01233 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.1), 37,830 MOT tests34 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.2), 44,752 MOT tests5 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 50,455 MOT tests56 years: 0.0 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 55,045 MOT tests7 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.8), 46,090 MOT tests78 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 39,110 MOT tests9 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 32,473 MOT tests910 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 25,337 MOT tests11 years: 0.5 per 100 (all cars 2.5), 26,920 MOT tests1112 years: 0.6 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 23,773 MOT tests13 years: 0.7 per 100 (all cars 2.9), 16,525 MOT tests1314 years: 0.8 per 100 (all cars 3.2), 10,872 MOT tests15 years: 0.6 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 4,858 MOT tests15
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. BMW X1 All class 4 vehicles the same age
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
337,8300.00.1
444,7520.00.2
550,4550.00.3
655,0450.00.5
746,0900.10.8
839,1100.11.2
932,4730.21.8
1025,3370.32.1
1126,9200.52.5
1223,7730.62.8
1316,5250.72.9
1410,8720.83.2
154,8580.63.3

All first-use years of the BMW X1 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.

What fails in the steering at 6 years

Advisories (not fails)

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

By engine and fuel

  • 2.0 diesel: 0.0 per 100 at 6 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 33,781 MOT tests)
  • 2.0 petrol: 0.0 per 100 at 6 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 14,489 MOT tests)

How to check on a test drive

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Play in steering rack inner joint(s).

Check one BMW X1, not the average

The figures here describe BMW X1 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

  • Check a BMW X1's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
  • MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.

Other BMW X1 problems

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the BMW X1 have more steering problems than other cars?

0.0 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 55,045 MOT tests).

How common are BMW X1 steering problems?

0.0 in 100 MOT tests at 6 years failed on steering, against 0.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 55,045 MOT tests).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 414,040 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare