Used car guide

2007 BMW X5: petrol or diesel?

Petrol, diesel and hybrid versions go wrong in different ways, so each has its own figures from the MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Pick the one you’re looking at: the fuel is on the logbook and in the car’s MOT history.

Hybrid versions had too few MOTs for figures of their own, or weren’t sold.

Known faults on every 2007 BMW X5

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.

  • Rear air suspension bags

    Self-levelling rear suspension

    The airbags on the self-levelling rear suspension are a known weak point, and axle, suspension and electrical repairs are expensive.

    At the viewing: Look at the rear ride height after it's been parked, and listen for the compressor.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

  • Water leaks: driver's carpet and rear lights

    All engines

    A blocked or broken rear washer pipe can soak the driver's carpet, and rear light clusters can leak.

    At the viewing: Feel the driver's carpet and look inside the rear lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

  • xDrive faults from mismatched tyres

    All engines

    The four-wheel-drive system can be damaged when tyres on the same axle have very different tread depths. Early gearboxes shifted abruptly until a software update.

    At the viewing: Check the tyres match and have similar tread.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

  • Rattles, peeling trim and sticking door handles

    All engines

    Rattles from the glovebox, sunroof, rear seats and tailgate, peeling interior plastic and sticking door handles are reported.

    At the viewing: Listen on a rough road and try every door handle.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) 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

Every year of the BMW X5 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023224Tyres 12%
20228,124Tyres 25%
202113,390Tyres 25%
202014,853Tyres 23%
201925,450Tyres 23%
201820,734Tyres 26%
201718,041Tyres 26%
201618,935Tyres 26%
201520,364Tyres 27%
201415,752Tyres 26%
20139,980Tyres 29%
201211,686Tyres 31%
201111,449Tyres 30%
201010,621Tyres 30%
200911,406Suspension 33%
20089,407Suspension 36%
20069,115Brakes 45%
200514,710Brakes 43%
20048,300Brakes 42%
20035,708Brakes 45%
20023,205Suspension 42%
20011,594Brakes 42%
2000–Too few tests