2016 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
35,602 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW X5 are in this dataset, and 90.1% of them passed. That is 2.5 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 12.4%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests against 2.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 667 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 11.9% in the 150k+ band, a 5.6-point spread.
The diesel cars hold up better: 9.7% fail against 11.2% for hybrid, a 1.5-point gap across 34,637 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 2,078 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 706 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 549 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 525 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 399 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 198 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 667 |
| 2 | Wipers | 640 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 346 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 317 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 278 |
| 6 | Attachment | 230 |
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 | 21.7% | 7,716 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 3,344 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.9% | 2,799 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.3% | 1,899 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,315 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 912 |
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 | 2,226 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 13,549 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 13,014 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 5,011 | 11.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,278 | 12.6% |
| 150k+ | 514 | 11.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 30,854 | 9.7% |
| Hybrid | 3,783 | 11.2% |
| Petrol | 965 | 10.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,467 | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 7,190 | 9.6% |
| 2023 | 7,101 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 6,976 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 6,868 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 X5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
- Visibility (2.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% 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 2016 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 35,602 2016 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW X5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the 2016 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,602 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.