2010 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
22,331 MOT tests on the 2010 BMW X5 are in this dataset, and 82.7% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (20.5% fail rate), the 2010 X5 comes out 3.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.5%) and suspension (7.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 720 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 X5 fails 16.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 18.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
The petrol cars hold up better: 14.6% fail against 17.3% for diesel, a 2.7-point gap across 22,331 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.0% 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 | 7.5% | 1,676 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.4% | 1,660 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,247 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 782 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 644 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 299 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 720 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 655 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 568 |
| 4 | Washers | 522 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 478 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 410 |
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 | 26.0% | 5,800 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.0% | 4,456 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.5% | 3,457 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 2,913 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 2,425 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 1,860 |
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 | 104 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 743 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,919 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 8,080 | 17.2% |
| 120-150k | 6,202 | 18.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,278 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,784 | 17.3% |
| Petrol | 547 | 14.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,940 | 17.2% |
| 2022 | 4,757 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 4,550 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 4,188 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 3,896 | 17.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 X5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.4% 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 (5.6% 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 2010 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 22,331 2010 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 BMW X5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.4%).
Does the 2010 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 18.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,331 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.