Used car guide · 2000–2026

BMW X5 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used BMW X5, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 272,843 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2000 BMW X5

Too few BMW X5 cars first registered in 2000 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the BMW X5 as a whole.

75on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also plug-in hybrid)
What to check on a 2000 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000

What usually goes wrong with a BMW X5?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Rear air suspension bags

    Cars registered 2007–2012 · 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

  • EGR cooler recall (diesel, fire risk)

    Cars registered 2013–2018 · Diesel

    A large number of diesels were recalled because the EGR cooler could leak and cause a fire.

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

    Source: Auto Express: used BMW X5 (Mk3, 2013-2018) problems and recalls

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

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · 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

  • Water leaks: driver's carpet and rear lights

    Cars registered 2007–2012 · 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

    Cars registered 2007–2012 · 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

  • Other recalls

    Cars registered 2013–2018 · All engines

    Recalls also covered child locks on the soft-close doors, seatbelt mountings, power steering, an engine cut-out fault, idler pulley bolts and the front seat.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm every recall has been done.

    Source: Auto Express: used BMW X5 (Mk3, 2013-2018) problems and recalls

  • Electrical faults

    Cars registered 2013–2018 · All engines

    Owners report electrical faults.

    At the viewing: Test every electrical item, including the screen, windows, seats and parking sensors.

    Source: Auto Express: used BMW X5 (Mk3, 2013-2018) problems and recalls

  • Rattles, peeling trim and sticking door handles

    Cars registered 2007–2012 · 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

Common BMW X5 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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) joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Door condition

    up to 8.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Diesel

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2019 and 2020.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Door condition

    up to 13.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Electronic parking brake

    up to 25× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Rear fog light

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Hybrid

  • Ball joint

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Tyre condition

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Windscreen

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

BMW X5 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 BMW X5 did best (76% passed first time, 16 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (85%, 4 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202389%92% -3224 (small sample)
202285%89% -48,124
202186%87% -113,390
202088%87% +114,853
201987%85% +225,450
201886%83% +320,734
201787%80% +718,041
201687%77% +1018,935
201586%74% +1220,364
201485%70% +1515,752
201379%67% +129,980
201277%64% +1311,686
201176%62% +1411,449
201076%60% +1610,621
200972%59% +1311,406
200871%57% +149,407
200768%57% +119,795
200661%56% +59,115
200561%57% +414,710
200461%57% +48,300
200361%57% +45,708
200261%58% +33,205
200161%60% +11,594

Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW X5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the rear air suspension been repaired?
  2. Has the EGR cooler recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the BMW X5 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score