2012 Bmw X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,952 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Bmw X5, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 83.0% was in line with the average for large SUVs of a similar age (82.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.5% in the 150k+ group versus 12.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 1,537 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,492 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,445 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 766 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 519 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 253 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 718 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 679 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 579 |
| 4 | Washers | 416 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 374 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 374 |
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 | 25.8% | 6,171 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 3,939 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 3,489 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 2,118 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 1,930 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 1,006 |
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 | 140 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,715 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 6,867 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 8,888 | 17.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,533 | 18.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,804 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,776 | 17.0% |
| Petrol | 176 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,100 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 4,996 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 4,827 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 4,631 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 4,398 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 X5
Before buying a 2012 Bmw X5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 6.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Suspension (6.0% 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 2012 Bmw X5s pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 23,952 2012 Bmw X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Bmw X5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by tyres (6.2%).
Does the 2012 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,952 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.