At a Glance
The Bmw X5 has 27 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the E53 (1999-2006) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 1.3M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Bmw X5 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Bmw X5 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Bmw X5 MOT Failures
Every reason Bmw X5 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 12.59% |
| 2 | Driveshaft fault | 11.89% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 10.02% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.42% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.79% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.67% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.97% |
| 8 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.46% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.25% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.14% |
| 11 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.73% |
| 12 | Indicator fault | 2.16% |
| 13 | Position lamp not working | 2.12% |
| 14 | Front lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 15 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.89% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 1.80% |
| 17 | Rear lamp not working | 1.72% |
| 18 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.65% |
| 19 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.55% |
| 20 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.31% |
| 21 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.27% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.12% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.10% |
| 24 | Track rod end worn | 1.03% |
| 25 | Airbag warning light on | 1.00% |
| 26 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.97% |
| 27 | ABS fault | 0.74% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.65% |
| 29 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.59% |
| 30 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.52% |
| 31 | Fog lamp not working | 0.50% |
| 32 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.49% |
| 33 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.48% |
| 34 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.48% |
| 35 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.45% |
| 36 | Steering rack fault | 0.32% |
| 37 | Exhaust system fault | 0.31% |
| 38 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.27% |
| 39 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.24% |
| 40 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 41 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.23% |
| 42 | Parking brake condition | 0.18% |
| 43 | Front suspension fault | 0.17% |
| 44 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.16% |
| 45 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.16% |
| 46 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.15% |
| 47 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.14% |
| 48 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 49 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 50 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 51 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.11% |
| 52 | Propshaft fault | 0.11% |
| 53 | Engine oil leak | 0.11% |
| 54 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 55 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 56 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.10% |
| 58 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 60 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 62 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.06% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 64 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 65 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 68 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.05% |
| 69 | Driver door fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Driver airbag fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 72 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Rear suspension fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 76 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 78 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 80 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Suspension air bellows damaged | 0.03% |
| 82 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 84 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 85 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 87 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | CV joint worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 92 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 94 | Chassis condition | 0.01% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 96 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 97 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 98 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 101 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 104 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 105 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 106 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 107 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 108 | Vehicle structure corrosion | <0.01% |
| 109 | Battery loose or leaking | <0.01% |
| 110 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 112 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 121 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 122 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 126 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 130 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 145 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 151 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 154 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 155 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 156 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 157 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 161 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 188 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 188 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Bmw X5 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Bmw X5, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Bmw X5 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.3M Bmw X5 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 27 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Tyre condition". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Bmw X5 generation has the most problems?
The Bmw X5 E53 (1999-2006) (1999–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (22). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Bmw X5?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Bmw X5 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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