2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 706 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 88.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.8% | 55 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 17 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.8% | 13 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 10 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 10 |
| 3 | Wipers | 5 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 6 | Attachment | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.0% | 127 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.4% | 38 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 23 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 8 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 5 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 189 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 334 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 110 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 37 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 348 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 339 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto
Before buying a 2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Autos pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 706 2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Bmw X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.4%).
Does the 2021 X5 Xdrive45E Xline Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.6% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 706 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.