BMW X5 (E70)
From 207 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut and bolt or stud. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 9 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 9 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 8 |
| a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | 4 |
| parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value | 4 |
| parking brake control missing, defective or inoperative | 3 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 2 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 2 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 2 |
| headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 2 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.8% of X5 (E70) failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £106.
Typical mileage
Half of all X5 (E70)s tested had between 66,122 and 145,113 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,061 median miles, the X5 (E70) has 0.016 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW X5 (E70) MOT pass rate?
The BMW X5 (E70) has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 207 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW X5 (E70)?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW X5 (E70) is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 9 failures. Other common issues include a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW X5 (E70) at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW X5 (E70) is 87,061 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,122 and 145,113 miles.
Buying a used X5 (E70)?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.