Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
Enter a registration number to see MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and more for any BMW X1.
Free & instant — no signup required
Get a free email reminder 28 days and 7 days before your MOT expires.
✓ Free ✓ No spam ✓ Unsubscribe any time
Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Free Plate Check may earn a small commission from partner links, at no cost to you.
With 127,313 currently licensed in the UK, the BMW X1 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the X1 5 stars in 2023, with 94% adult occupant and 87% child protection scores.
It has a 81.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, oil leaks.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,926 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £244/month or 37p/mile.
Theft risk is rated low at 5.1 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2023
MOT Pass Rate
81.8%
95,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£244
est. annual total
New From
£34,000
Euro NCAP tested the X1 in 2023 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
94%
Child Occupant
87%
Pedestrian
75%
Safety Assist
79%
There are 42 known DVSA recalls affecting the BMW X1. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/327
Affected vehicles may be fitted with a drivers airbag which may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released into the cabin. It has the potential to fatally or seriously injure vehicle occupants.
Build dates: 2009-08-19 to 2015-06-25
R/2025/349
Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Build dates: 2009-07-07 to 2015-05-29
R/2025/349
Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.
Build dates: 2016-02-20 to 2017-10-27
R/2025/443
On affected vehicles either one or both of the outer most rear seats may not have been manufactured correctly and the sensitivity sensor may be deformed. If the sensor is not functioning correctly there is a risk the seat belt may not operate as intended.
Build dates: 2025-08-01 to 2025-10-07
R/2025/443
On affected vehicles either one or both of the outer most rear seats may not have been manufactured correctly and the sensitivity sensor may be deformed. If the sensor is not functioning correctly there is a risk the seat belt may not operate as intended.
Build dates: 2025-08-01 to 2025-10-07
+ 37 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 95,000 MOT tests, the X1 has a first-time pass rate of 81.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The X1 is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old BMW X1 are estimated at around £2,926 per year, or £244 per month.
Fuel
£1,103
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,373
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
The X1 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.8 mpg (36.6 mpg urban, 46.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| X1 | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 47.8 mpg | 1.5L |
| X1 | DIESEL | 54.3 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 | DIESEL/ELECTRIC | 56.4 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 42.1 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 | PETROL | 34.4 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 SERIES E84 , FROM OCTOBER 2009 | DIESEL | 57.6 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 SERIES E84 , FROM OCTOBER 2009 | PETROL | 42.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| X1 SERIES F48 , FROM OCTOBER 2015 | DIESEL | 68.9 mpg | 2.0L |
Starting from £34,000 new, a BMW X1 typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £25,500 | −£8,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £21,700 | −£12,300 |
| 3 years | 56% | £19,050 | −£14,950 |
| 4 years | 50% | £17,150 | −£16,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £15,800 | −£18,200 |
| 6 years | 43% | £14,700 | −£19,300 |
| 7 years | 41% | £13,800 | −£20,200 |
| 8 years | 39% | £13,100 | −£20,900 |
| 9 years | 37% | £12,450 | −£21,550 |
| 10 years | 35% | £11,850 | −£22,150 |
The X1 has a theft rate of 5.1 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
There are currently 127,313 licensed and 2,252 SORN X1s in the UK (129,565 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
The X1 has a 81.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 95,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the X1 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2023. It scored 94% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 75% for vulnerable road users, and 79% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old X1 are estimated at around £2,926 per year (£244/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 42 known safety recalls affecting the X1. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
The X1 has a theft rate of 5.1 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Standard security precautions should be sufficient.
A new X1 starts from around £34,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
Free & instant — no signup required
Get a free email reminder 28 days and 7 days before your MOT expires.
✓ Free ✓ No spam ✓ Unsubscribe any time
Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Free Plate Check may earn a small commission from partner links, at no cost to you.
BMW 1 Series
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW 2 Series
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW 3 Series
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW 4 Series
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW 5 Series
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW i4
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW iX
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW X3
Reliability, safety & running costs
BMW X5
Reliability, safety & running costs
Free MOT History Check
See every test result, advisory and failure since 2005.
Free Car Valuation
Estimate what a vehicle is worth based on age, mileage and condition.
Safety Recall Check
Check if a vehicle has any outstanding safety recalls.
ULEZ Compliance Check
Check if a vehicle meets London ULEZ emission standards.
Free Plate Check © 2026. All rights reserved.
Your MOT could be due soon — Set a free reminder(up to £1,000 fine for driving without)