BMW X5: what fails at MOT
180,000 MOT tests on the BMW X5 in 2024, counted. 15.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
15.6% of BMW X5 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.2%, so the X5 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.3% of tests), lights and electrics (2.7% of tests) and suspension (2.4% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,363 | 11.6% | 10.9% | 31,400 22,800 to 42,300 |
| 2020 | 12,697 | 8.4% | 11.5% | 36,700 27,400 to 47,800 |
| 2019 | 20,653 | 9.4% | 13.4% | 44,400 34,500 to 56,400 |
| 2018 | 15,024 | 11.6% | 15.6% | 55,400 43,200 to 68,800 |
| 2017 | 12,450 | 10.6% | 18.2% | 64,200 50,100 to 79,700 |
| 2016 | 12,553 | 10.8% | 21.3% | 73,100 56,700 to 89,800 |
| 2015 | 14,575 | 11.1% | 24.4% | 82,900 67,500 to 101,700 |
| 2014 | 11,894 | 10.2% | 27.7% | 92,500 77,000 to 113,500 |
| 2013 | 6,689 | 16.7% | 30.6% | 99,900 80,700 to 120,000 |
| 2012 | 7,336 | 17.9% | 33.4% | 109,200 88,800 to 128,200 |
| 2011 | 7,517 | 19.4% | 36.1% | 112,700 93,500 to 134,000 |
| 2010 | 6,748 | 19.1% | 38.6% | 121,100 101,200 to 141,200 |
| 2009 | 7,586 | 21.1% | 39.8% | 128,700 107,600 to 148,800 |
| 2008 | 6,076 | 24.6% | 41.5% | 131,200 113,200 to 153,000 |
| 2007 | 6,160 | 26.9% | 41.5% | 136,900 115,800 to 159,000 |
| 2006 | 5,280 | 34.4% | 42.4% | 144,500 121,500 to 169,400 |
| 2005 | 8,102 | 34.6% | 42.2% | 146,100 123,300 to 169,600 |
| 2004 | 4,514 | 35.8% | 42.3% | 144,600 122,200 to 169,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW X5 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | X5 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.3% | 4.1% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 2.7% | 6.8% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.4% | 5.3% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.9% | 4.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.3% | 2.9% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.0% | 2.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.6% | 1.9% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.9%
- Ball joint0.9%
- Washers0.8%
- Tyre tread0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.7%
- Driveshaft joint0.6%
- Side light0.6%
- Brake test0.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.5%
- Wipers0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Side light: not working0.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.9%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material1.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a BMW X5's own MOT record
Looking at a X5? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.