BMW X1 Years to Avoid [Best & Worst]

If you are looking to buy a BMW SUV, the BMW x1 is a great option but it can be more pricey than other models. The BMW x1 is a much newer release than the other BMW SUVs which means it also has fewer model years and fewer problems to complain about.

There haven’t been many severe issues reported for the vehicle but some still exist and certain model years might be more worth purchasing than the other ones. In this article, we’ll talk about if BMW x1 is a good car and also discuss its life expectancy and reliability.

1st generation years to avoid

  • Worst years 2014-2015
  • Best year 2013

The 1st generation of the BMW x1 is a rough one as most of the models released in this generation suffer from the same common problems which include oil and coolant leaks and problems with its engine.

2nd generation years to avoid

  • Worst year 2016
  • Best years 2017-2019

While the 2016 model of the 2nd generation is considered the worst by many, the other ones are all said to be very reliable and good vehicles so for the 2nd generation, you should only avoid the 2016 model.

BMW X1 years to buy

BMW x1 was released recently, so there aren’t a lot of model years available. Still, there are a few reliable models that you should consider to choose from:

  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021

As you can see, all the best models are a subsequent release and that means that each model has consistently improved over the previous one. So in that case, you may want to choose to buy one of the most recent model years.

The best year of BMW x1 is the 2020 model which is deemed the best and most reliable because it has the lowest number of complaints. Although the other models starting from 2017 up to 2021 are reliable as well. The 2021 model only loses to the 2020 model because of only a few minor problems. Although, whether you decide to buy the 2020 or 2021 BMW x1, your experience with both vehicles should be almost the same.

BMW X1 faults by year

YEARSFAULTS
201420
201515
201625

Although many people might opt for the old BMW x1 models to save money, that wouldn’t be the best option still. The models of the BMW x1 that were initially released, suffer the most from common problems. The 2014, 2015, and 2016 models of the BMW x1 are the most unreliable with the 2016 model being the worst one out of all of them.

The 2014 model of the BMW x1 suffers from the most amount of problems but is still not the worst year as the 2016 model suffers from fewer but more major problems that are expensive to get fixed.

BMW X1 years to avoid 

  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016

What is the common problem in BMW x1?

Most of the BMW x1 common problems also exist in most other BMW vehicles. Some of the BMW x1 e84 problems include cooling problems, engine problems, and problems with the air conditioner and heater.

Which BMW x1 is reliable?

The BMW x1 seems to be pretty reliable. Even used models of the BMW x1 didn’t cause many issues for people. The 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 models are all very reliable and didn’t cause major issues. The 2016 model however has caused people many issues from time to time which were expensive to get fixed. You can consult the BMW x1 reliability Reddit to get the vehicle’s owner’s opinion on which model is the most reliable.

Check Out BMW X5 Years to Avoid

Is BMW x1 better than x3?

While the BMW x3 is more expensive than the x1, it provides additional features and powers for the bigger price tag. If you are going to choose between the BMW x3 vs BMW x2 this year, you should know that both are very good vehicles and it all comes down to personal preference of which one you will choose.

How long can a BMW x1 last?

The BMW x1 life expectancy is anywhere from 150k miles to 200k miles and even beyond if the vehicle is properly maintained and taken care of. If you just bought a new BMW x1, you can expect it to last you 10 or 15 years.

Is BMW x1 a good car?

The answer to this question depends on what model year you are talking about. The models of the BMW x1 up to 2016 are some of the worst ones that you should avoid buying at all costs. The models starting from 2017 till now are very reliable and the best option for you to buy.

Jake Mayock