2012 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,974 MOT tests, the 2012 BMW X5 recorded an 83.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (17.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.4%) and tyres (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, coil spring and tread depth — side repeaters alone was recorded 719 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 18.4% versus 12.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% 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 | 6.4% | 1,539 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,494 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,448 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 767 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 520 |
| 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 | 719 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 681 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 579 |
| 4 | Washers | 417 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 374 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 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% | 6,176 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 3,944 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 3,490 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 2,119 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 1,930 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 1,008 |
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 | 1,718 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 6,871 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 8,896 | 17.3% |
| 120-150k | 4,536 | 18.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,808 | 18.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,791 | 17.0% |
| Petrol | 183 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,104 | 16.4% |
| 2022 | 5,002 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 4,832 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 4,635 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 4,401 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 X5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.4% of tests. Start there.
- 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 23,974 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 18.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,974 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.