Is the BMW X1 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 100,680 MOT tests, around 64% of BMW X1s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 24% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 12%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 71% diesel, 28% petrol. Diesel X1s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol X1 in the data (2010 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 64%
- Likely charged
- 24%
- Depends on the car
- 12%
- MOT tests analysed
- 100,680
Check a specific X1
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
X1 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many X1s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant53 tested | Likely compliant191 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant2,009 tested | Likely compliant5,237 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant3,788 tested | Likely compliant10,191 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant7,825 tested | Likely compliant7,005 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant11,455 tested | Likely compliant2,505 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant10,818 tested | Likely compliant1,777 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car4,464 tested | Likely compliant198 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car7,615 tested | Likely compliant285 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged6,815 tested | Likely compliant460 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged5,502 tested | Likely compliant50 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged6,099 tested | Likely compliant70 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged4,889 tested | Likely compliant30 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged453 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the X1
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (71% of X1s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (28% of X1s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
X1s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (12% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how X1s fare at the MOT too: see the BMW X1 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW X1 for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW X1s in this data were first registered between 2009 and 2021. 2018 was the most common year, with 14,831 tests (15% of the total), and half were registered in 2017 or later.
X1s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 88% of the time, at an average of 41,337 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 72% of the time with 93,467 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel X1s likely to comply are from 2016. 10,818 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 86% of the time and averaged 57,364 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol X1s likely to comply are from 2010. 30 of them were tested; 2010 cars passed first time 70% of the time and averaged 105,964 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the X1's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were tyres: "has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords" (2.1% of tests) and "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (1.9%); suspension: "pin or bush excessively worn" (2.0%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.2% of tests.
Overall, 83% of X1s passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 57,263 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 100,680 first MOT tests of the BMW X1 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 100,680 MOT tests say about the BMW X1 and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW X1 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 64% of X1s on the road are likely compliant and 24% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol X1 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol X1s first registered from 2010 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel X1 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel X1s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific X1 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your X1 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.