2011 Bmw X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,680 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Bmw X5, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 83.2% was above the average for large SUVs of a similar age (80.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 17.5% in the 150k+ group versus 10.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.3% | 1,719 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.7% | 1,357 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 1,050 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 666 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 589 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 586 |
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 | 678 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 650 |
| 3 | Joints | 611 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 539 |
| 5 | Washers | 441 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 325 |
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% | 6,071 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.9% | 4,702 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 3,488 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 2,465 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 1,908 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 1,251 |
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 | 125 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,219 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,524 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 8,867 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,708 | 17.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,233 | 17.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,274 | 16.9% |
| Petrol | 406 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,094 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 4,971 | 16.5% |
| 2023 | 4,852 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 4,562 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 4,201 | 17.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 X5
Before buying a 2011 Bmw X5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 7.3% of tests for this year.
- 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 23,680 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 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,680 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.