2002 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,073 MOT tests, the 2002 BMW X5 recorded a 73.6% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2002 X5 comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and brakes (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 748 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 35.1% in the 0-30k band and 26.3% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 26.4% of the time against 26.5% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 26.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 1,486 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 1,267 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.0% | 1,090 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 891 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.2% | 566 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 525 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 748 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 722 |
| 3 | Joints | 626 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 559 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 555 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 524 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.8% | 3,335 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.3% | 2,835 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.2% | 2,738 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.2% | 2,101 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 1,865 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 1,267 |
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 | 302 | 35.1% |
| 30-60k | 90 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 498 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,592 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 2,433 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 3,417 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,632 | 26.5% |
| Diesel | 4,432 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,863 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 2,274 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 1,724 | 25.1% |
| 2024 | 1,244 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 968 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 X5
On a 2002 X5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (12.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2002 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 9,073 2002 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 BMW X5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 2002 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 35.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,073 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.