2012 BMW X5: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW X5 first registered in 2012: we looked at the 11,686 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 BMW X5?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 BMW X5 than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Engine oil leaks1.7× usualBMW X510% All 2012 cars6%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
- Side repeaters3.7× usualBMW X54.4% All 2012 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Anti-roll bar link joints1.6× usualBMW X54.9% All 2012 cars3%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Flexible brake hoses2× usualBMW X52.4% All 2012 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Number plate lights: 0.5% here, against 6.7% of all 2012 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.6% here, against 5.8% of all 2012 cars.
Common 2012 BMW X5 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 BMW X5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres31% 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.
- Suspension24% 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.
- Brakes18% 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.
- Lights and electrics12% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks11% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults on the 2012 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.
- Self-levelling rear suspension
Rear air suspension bags
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.
- All engines
Water leaks: driver's carpet and rear lights
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.
- All engines
xDrive faults from mismatched tyres
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.
- All engines
Rattles, peeling trim and sticking door handles
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 BMW X5
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the rear air suspension been repaired?
- Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2012 BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2012 BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
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
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 238 | Tyres 12% |
| 2022 | 8,125 | Tyres 25% |
| 2021 | 13,390 | Tyres 25% |
| 2020 | 14,853 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 25,450 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 20,734 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 18,041 | Tyres 26% |
| 2016 | 18,935 | Tyres 26% |
| 2015 | 20,364 | Tyres 27% |
| 2014 | 15,752 | Tyres 26% |
| 2013 | 9,986 | Tyres 29% |
| 2011 | 11,449 | Tyres 30% |
| 2010 | 10,621 | Tyres 30% |
| 2009 | 11,406 | Suspension 33% |
| 2008 | 9,407 | Suspension 36% |
| 2007 | 9,795 | Suspension 38% |
| 2006 | 9,115 | Brakes 45% |
| 2005 | 14,710 | Suspension 43% |
| 2004 | 8,302 | Suspension 42% |
| 2003 | 5,708 | Brakes 45% |
| 2002 | 3,205 | Suspension 42% |
| 2001 | 1,594 | Brakes 42% |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW X5 cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score