Used car guide

2011 BMW X5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 BMW X5s, from 3,549 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,549MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,500typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 BMW X5s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
    BMW X5
    14.8% All 2011 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    BMW X5
    8.1% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Transmission oil leaks2.2× usual
    BMW X5
    2.4% All 2011 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.1% here, against 8.1% of all 2011 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.8% here, against 7.6% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 BMW X5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    29% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    18% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,815Tyres 26%
20216,328Tyres 25%
20204,881Tyres 23%
20198,414Tyres 22%
20186,877Tyres 26%
20175,958Tyres 26%
20166,255Tyres 26%
20156,729Tyres 27%
20145,162Tyres 26%
20133,242Tyres 30%
20123,723Tyres 31%
20103,293Suspension 30%
20093,504Suspension 36%
20082,831Suspension 38%
20072,781Suspension 40%
20062,469Brakes 45%
20054,071Suspension 44%
20042,219Suspension 44%
20031,438Suspension 46%
2002779Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 BMW X5s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score