2007 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,398 MOT tests, the 2007 BMW X5 recorded a 79.1% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (23.6% fail rate), the 2007 X5 comes out 2.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.9%) and suspension (10.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, coil spring and position lamp — washers alone was recorded 1,098 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 X5 fails 17.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 19.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 20.7% of the time against 22.0% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 2,676 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 2,312 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.8% | 1,293 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.4% | 1,219 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.2% | 1,164 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 502 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 1,098 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 890 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 874 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 852 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 838 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 823 |
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 | 28.9% | 6,483 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.0% | 6,268 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.7% | 4,634 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.6% | 4,606 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 3,967 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 1,924 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 240 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,733 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 5,777 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 8,168 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 6,440 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 20,144 | 20.7% |
| Petrol | 2,247 | 22.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,445 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 5,083 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 4,576 | 21.0% |
| 2024 | 3,938 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 3,356 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 X5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
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 2007 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
79.1% of the 22,398 2007 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 BMW X5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2007 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 30-60k band to 19.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,398 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.