BMW X5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,049 MOT tests from 600 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW X5 has the same fault.

BMW X5's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 573/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW X5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the BMW X5.

BMW X5 (example)

Check a BMW X5 before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	807/999Excellent	88,038 miles	1,584 vehicles
N/A	N/A	786/999Very good	86,578 miles	3,002 vehicles
N/A	N/A	773/999Very good	84,581 miles	4,458 vehicles
N/A	N/A	749/999Very good	77,828 miles	537 vehicles
N/A	N/A	709/999Very good	86,915 miles	4,908 vehicles
N/A	N/A	635/999Good	91,540 miles	4,111 vehicles
N/A	N/A	600/999Good	90,190 miles	3,320 vehicles
N/A	N/A	579/999Above average	85,616 miles	2,902 vehicles
N/A	N/A	498/999Average	84,263 miles	2,531 vehicles
N/A	N/A	449/999Average	81,962 miles	728 vehicles
N/A	N/A	423/999Average	78,625 miles	1,252 vehicles
N/A	N/A	411/999Average	75,966 miles	1,555 vehicles
N/A	N/A	399/999Fair	83,311 miles	3,212 vehicles
N/A	N/A	389/999Fair	86,045 miles	2,419 vehicles
N/A	N/A	387/999Fair	83,264 miles	3,241 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW X5?

Based on 6,049 MOT tests from 600 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

600

MOT tests

6,049

Pass rate

80.7%

Median mileage

97,144 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW X5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 723 out of 999.

Common BMW X5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,088 advisory comments and 214 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 196 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 188 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 144 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 137 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

BMW X5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	11	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	13	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	17	3	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	18	15	86.7%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2022	32	70	81.4%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2021	28	93	88.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2020	22	82	96.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	41	216	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	46	314	87.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	31	237	83.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	29	241	91.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	32	296	85.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	40	428	87.9%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2013	20	225	84%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2012	17	226	81%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2011	18	252	84.9%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	21	334	84.7%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2009	21	395	78.2%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2008	35	636	80.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2007	15	303	72.9%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2006	15	305	73.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	26	643	73.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2004	16	359	69.6%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2003	8	167	73.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used BMW X5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Buying a BMW X5?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW X5s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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