Diesel BMW X5: MOT pass rate

82.1% of diesel BMW X5s pass the MOT first time, measured across 73,194 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 99,419.

Diesel against the other BMW X5 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW X5 specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 86.4%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points above the 81.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW X5 had covered 99,419 miles at test, against 95,028 for the petrol and 68,722 for the hybrid. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW X5 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW X5

1. A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly, 0.9% of tests (5.12x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.7% of tests (2.19x 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 (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5.2% of tests
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.4% of tests
10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.4% of tests

From 73,618 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW X5 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW X5's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.92% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW X5

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.9% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
2. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.1% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this defect)
3. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 0.8% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 17.9% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 34.1% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.1% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.6% of tests
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.1% of tests, also fails
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.5% of tests
10. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 5.2% of tests

From 73,618 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW X5 tests, 2024.

Other BMW X5 fuel types

• Petrol BMW X5 - 77.5%
• Hybrid BMW X5 - 86.4%

All BMW X5 MOT data · Every model