BMW X5 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the BMW X5 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 89,782 UK MOT tests of the BMW X5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is ball joint (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 4.7× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (3.6×); side repeaters (not working) (3.9×); tyres (ply or cords exposed) (2.5×). The most common reasons a BMW X5 fails its MOT are tyres (ply or cords exposed); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the BMW X5
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the BMW X5 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.3% | 0.7% | 4.7× | 4,772 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | MOT fail | 2018–2020 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.6% | 1% | 3.6× | 2,389 |
| Side repeaters: not working | MOT fail | 2012–2014 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 3.1% | 0.8% | 3.9× | 1,352 |
| Tyres (condition): has ply or cords exposed | MOT fail | 2018–2020 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3% | 1.2% | 2.5× | 6,207 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 7% | 2.6% | 2.7× | 1,644 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.9% | 1.5% | 2.6× | 1,411 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.9% | 2% | 2× | 7,704 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 8.4% | 3% | 2.8× | 369 |
BMW X5 by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 2,389 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (4.7%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3.6%, 3.6×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 9,762 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (11%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.5%, 2.6×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6,207 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.3%, 2.5×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 1,863 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Tyres (condition): has ply or cords exposed (3.2%, 2.5×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 522 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Tyres (condition): has ply or cords exposed (3.8%, 2.9×) |
BMW X5 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 631 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.8×) |
| 2002 | 1,243 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.4×) |
| 2003 | 2,126 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.5×) |
| 2004 | 3,320 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.4×) |
| 2005 | 5,704 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.8×) |
| 2006 | 3,544 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.6×) |
| 2007 | 3,764 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 2008 | 3,491 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 2009 | 4,145 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.8×) |
| 2010 | 3,829 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.6×) |
| 2011 | 4,095 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.6×) |
| 2012 | 4,071 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.4×) |
| 2013 | 3,453 | Side repeaters: not working at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.9×) |
| 2014 | 5,355 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.5×) |
| 2015 | 6,933 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.1×) |
| 2016 | 6,471 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4×) |
| 2017 | 6,141 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.7×) |
| 2018 | 7,111 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.9×) |
| 2019 | 8,774 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.6×) |
| 2020 | 5,126 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.5×) |
| 2021 | 423 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.8×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the BMW X5?
In 89,782 UK MOT tests of the BMW X5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is ball joint (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 4.7× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (3.6×); side repeaters (not working) (3.9×); tyres (ply or cords exposed) (2.5×). The most common reasons a BMW X5 fails its MOT are tyres (ply or cords exposed); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn).
Why do BMW X5s fail the MOT?
Across 89,782 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the BMW X5 were tyres (ply or cords exposed) (2.9% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (3.4% of tests); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (6.4% of tests).
At what mileage do BMW X5 problems start?
The clearest BMW X5-specific issue, ball joint (ball joint has slight play), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2016–2018 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.7% for all cars that age).
Where does this BMW X5 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 89,782 tests of the BMW X5. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.