MOT performance
BMW X5 F15 (2013–2018): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 60,139 MOT tests on the BMW X5 F15 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Jan 2014–Aug 2018, on average 6.9 years old at test), 86.3% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the F15 failed 42% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the G05, it fails 37% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.58× vs 0.92×).
60,139 MOT tests on 30,215 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 86.3% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 60,139 |
| All BMW X5s | 78.5% | n = 180,951 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.58× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; BMW X5 overall 0.71× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.5% | n = 60,139 |
| Average age at test | 6.9 years | n = 60,139 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2013–2018 | Nov 2013 to Oct 2018 |
F15 against the other BMW X5 generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F15 (2013–2018) | 60,139 | 6.9 yrs | 86.3% | -42% | 5.5% |
| G05 (2018 on) | 34,221 | 3.2 yrs | 86.7% | -8% | 5.0% |
Where the F15 differs
- Steering: the F15 failed 69% less often than the BMW X5 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.08× vs 0.26×).
- Body, chassis and structure: the F15 failed 62% less often than the BMW X5 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.24× vs 0.64×).
- Lights, reflectors and electrical: the F15 failed 56% less often than the BMW X5 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.25× vs 0.56×).
- Brakes: the F15 failed 49% less often than the BMW X5 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.31× vs 0.61×).
| Area | F15 (vs similar) | G05 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.8% (Same) | 8.9% (+62%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.0% (-45%) | 1.0% (-69%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.8% (-75%) | 1.7% (-51%) |
| Suspension | 1.7% (-70%) | 0.6% (-40%) |
| Brakes | 1.6% (-69%) | 0.7% (-72%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.1% (-49%) | 0.7% (-29%) |
| Road wheels | 0.6% (+65%) | 0.3% (+60%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.6% (+90%) | 0.7% (+167%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.4% (-76%) | 0.1% (-74%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% (-41%) | 0.3% (-4%) |
Most common BMW X5 F15 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.73% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.27% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.44% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.33% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 0.69% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | F15 pass rate (tests) | G05 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 85.8% (2,973) | 87.6% (22,271) |
| 5-6 | 86.3% (21,308) | 87.5% (2,879) |
| 7-8 | 86.6% (25,583) | — |
| 9-10 | 85.7% (10,275) | — |
Registration years in the F15
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the F15 (Nov 2013 to Oct 2018). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific BMW X5 F15
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.