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BMW X2 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

21,222 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2018–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No BMW X2 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2018–2020. The other 2 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

86.0%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 85.5% to 86.4%.

In 2025, 86.0% of the 21,222 initial MOT tests on BMW X2 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 84.5%. That is 1.5 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific X2

Its own MOT history, free.

BMW X2 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 32,51625,00087.4%±1.4−1.1 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 43,37232,00088.1%±1.2+0.9 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 53,58536,20087.6%±1.2+1.6 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 66,87145,10085.8%±0.9+2.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 74,87851,40082.8%±1.1+1.9 ptsall: 80.9%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

BMW X2 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

89.5% of BMW X2 tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 82.0% at 60,000 to 89,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.0% and 78.9%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0005,99989.5%±0.9−0.4 ptsall: 90.0%
30,000–59,99911,12785.7%±0.7+1.8 ptsall: 84.0%
60,000–89,9993,39782.0%±1.4+3.1 ptsall: 78.9%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, X2 tests were about average under 30,000 miles and above average at 30,000 to 89,999 miles.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all BMW X2 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: 90,000–119,999 and 120,000 or more. 9 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common X2 problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,975 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the BMW X2

The defects recorded most often at the 2,975 failed initial tests on BMW X2 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres19.1%567 tests10.8%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors13.7%409 tests11.3%
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres9.3%277 tests6.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks8.8%262 tests5.0%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres7.9%235 tests10.3%
Headlamp aim too highLights and electrics7.2%213 tests4.1%
Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres5.6%166 tests2.8%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors5.1%151 tests4.9%
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes4.5%133 tests9.8%
Individual direction indicators not workingLights and electrics4.4%131 tests0.3%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the X2's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a X2

Based on the areas where BMW X2 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Tyres

    In 44.4% of failed X2 tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
  2. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 21.2% of failed X2 tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.
  3. Lights and electrics

    In 20.5% of failed X2 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a X2's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

BMW X2 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of BMW X2 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.6% failed on tyres, against 6.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,207 and 9,317 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 12.5% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

BMW X2 questions

Which BMW X2 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2018–2020. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the BMW X2 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 86.0% of initial MOT tests on BMW X2 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 84.5%. That is 1.5 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common BMW X2 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 44.4% of failed tests), windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 21.2% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 20.5% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old BMW X2?

At their 2025 MOT tests, BMW X2 cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 25,000 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific X2's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any BMW X2

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other BMW models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 22 BMW modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all BMW X2 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count