BMW X5: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW X5 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 4.5 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 82,281 individual BMW X5 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate81.2%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+4.5 points
Tests analysed82,281
Average mileage at test96,594 miles
Average year of manufacture2013
Reliability rank1,404 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 81.2% first-time pass rate means roughly 19 in every 100 BMW X5s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average BMW X5 tested had covered 96,594 miles and was built around 2013.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW X5 sits 4.5 points above the national average, ranked 1,404 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific BMW X5 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see the median recorded closing bid for a damaged BMW X5: £1,100 at UK salvage auction, from 19 ended listings, not independently confirmed sales.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW X5

  1. A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly, 1% of tests (5.55x the national rate for this defect)
  2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.7% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)
  3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.1% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.4% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
  5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.8% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
  6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5.3% of tests
  7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests
  8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests
  9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.5% of tests
  10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.5% of tests

From 82,213 DVSA-tracked BMW X5 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.79% of these flagged BMW X5 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW X5

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a BMW X5 before it actually fails on it.

  1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 2% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 0.8% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 8.2% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 17.9% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 33.6% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  7. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.6% of tests, also fails
  8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.5% of tests
  9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.6% of tests
  10. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 6% of tests

From 82,213 DVSA-tracked BMW X5 tests, 2024.

BMW X5 pass rate by model year

From its 2001 to its 2021 model year, the BMW X5's first-time pass rate has risen 17.8 points, from 70.6% to 88.4%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each BMW X5 year:

BMW X5 by fuel type

The BMW X5's two most-tested fuel types split by 4.6 points: diesel passes first time 82.1% of the time (73,194 tests) against 77.5% for petrol (6,512 tests).

Other BMW models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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BMW X5 MOT pass rate badge: 81.2%

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BMW X5 most common MOT failure: A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly (1% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate