Used car guide

2023 BMW X5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 BMW X5s, from 232 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 232 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

232MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,900typical miles a year
12%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 BMW X5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    12% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Small recalls: airbags, subframe, brakes, 48V cables
    Some cars

    Small recalls covered head airbags, a badly welded front subframe, 48-volt starter-generator cables and the brake hydraulic unit. Owners otherwise report few issues.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2018 on) reliability

Looking at a BMW X5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
20113,549Tyres 30%
20103,293Suspension 30%
20093,504Suspension 36%
20082,831Suspension 38%
20072,781Suspension 40%
20062,469Brakes 45%
20054,071Brakes 44%
20042,219Suspension 44%
20031,438Suspension 46%
2002779Suspension 43%
2001408Brakes 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 BMW X5s registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score