73 AUTO

MOT performance

BMW X5 MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 180,951 MOT tests of the BMW X5 in 2023–2024, 78.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, BMW X5s failed 29% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “condition: has ply or cords exposed”, on 2.89% of tests.

180,951 MOT tests on 96,681 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

BMW X5 MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate78.5%±0.2 pts (95%), n = 180,951
Failures vs similar cars0.71×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect7.3%n = 180,951
Average age at test9.9 yearsn = 180,951
Median mileage at test85,057 milesn = 180,951
Vehicles tested96,6812023–2024

Where BMW X5s fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

BMW X5 MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Tyres7.4%+5%
Lights, reflectors and electrical6.9%-44%
Suspension5.9%-42%
Brakes4.9%-39%
Driver's view of the road3.2%-33%
Body, chassis and structure2.8%-36%
Noise, emissions and leaks1.4%-57%
Seat belts and airbags1.1%-23%
Road wheels0.8%+81%
Registration plates and VIN0.6%+49%
Steering0.6%-74%
Speedometer and driving controls0.0%-73%

BMW X5 MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol vs hybrid

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

BMW X5 MOT results by fuel
FuelTestsAverage ageFirst-time passvs similar cars
Diesel151,29210.2 yrs78.5%-32%
Petrol14,94113.2 yrs72.5%-21%
Hybrid14,7173.4 yrs84.9%+16%

BMW X5 MOT pass rate by generation

Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).

BMW X5 MOT results by generation
GenerationTestsAverage ageFirst-time passvs similar cars
F15 (2013–2018)60,1396.9 yrs86.3%-42%
G05 (2018 on)34,2213.2 yrs86.7%-8%

Most common failure items

Most common BMW X5 MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Condition: has ply or cords exposedTyres2.89%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres2.37%
Ball joint: ball joint excessively wornSuspension1.99%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres1.66%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis and structure1.57%
Position lamp: not workingLights, reflectors and electrical1.34%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquidDriver's view of the road1.33%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension1.25%
Stop lamp: not workingLights, reflectors and electrical1.19%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectivelyDriver's view of the road1.08%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common BMW X5 MOT advisories
ItemAreaShare of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres17.71%
Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engineNoise, emissions and leaks6.16%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes5.79%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension5.25%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakenedBrakes4.35%

Pass rate by age

BMW X5 MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)TestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
3-426,54987.4%-16%
5-626,10886.5%-29%
7-825,61386.6%-47%
9-1018,09482.7%-46%
11-1215,83176.8%-39%
13-1522,26872.6%-36%
16+37,41762.0%-17%

Pass rate by registration year

BMW X5 MOT pass rate by registration year
RegisteredTestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
20217,10384.6%1.27×
20209,99087.2%0.94×
201917,33987.2%0.80×
201814,11985.9%0.78×
201712,22686.5%0.67×
201612,80787.3%0.55×
201513,77086.3%0.51×
201410,65785.6%0.47×
20136,79379.0%0.62×
20127,96876.9%0.63×
20117,95176.4%0.61×
20107,37475.5%0.59×
20097,92572.6%0.64×
20086,60071.2%0.66×
20077,00767.9%0.72×
20066,62660.7%0.87×
200510,62160.5%0.86×
20046,06360.7%0.85×
20034,25060.1%0.85×
20022,41761.6%0.83×
20011,18659.4%0.91×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

Check a specific BMW X5

Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.