2011 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 BMW X5 passed 83.2% of its 23,750 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 19.2% of the time, so this is 2.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.3%) and tyres (5.7%) 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 joints — ball joint alone was recorded 680 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.8% in the 0-30k band and 17.6% in the 150k+ band, a 6.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.3% | 1,725 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.7% | 1,360 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 1,055 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 668 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 591 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 589 |
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 | 680 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 651 |
| 3 | Joints | 613 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 541 |
| 5 | Washers | 443 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 327 |
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 | 25.6% | 6,081 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.9% | 4,715 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 3,498 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 2,466 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 1,913 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 1,254 |
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 | 130 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,229 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,541 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 8,884 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,725 | 17.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,236 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,329 | 16.9% |
| Petrol | 421 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,101 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 4,989 | 16.5% |
| 2023 | 4,868 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 4,577 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 4,215 | 17.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 X5
On a 2011 X5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.3% 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 (5.7% 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 (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2011 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 23,750 2011 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW X5?
Suspension, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by tyres (5.7%).
Does the 2011 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,750 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.