2017 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 BMW X5 passed 89.9% of its 34,143 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 11.3% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.5% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 756 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.3% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (11.7% vs 8.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 2,203 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 772 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 523 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 402 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 360 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 184 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 756 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 629 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 387 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 294 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 246 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 206 |
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 | 20.6% | 7,039 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 3,187 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.2% | 2,444 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.1% | 1,402 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,220 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 535 |
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 | 3,968 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 15,993 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 10,272 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,950 | 12.0% |
| 120-150k | 647 | 12.1% |
| 150k+ | 309 | 11.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,859 | 10.0% |
| Hybrid | 3,690 | 11.7% |
| Petrol | 1,594 | 8.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,179 | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 6,885 | 9.6% |
| 2023 | 6,776 | 10.1% |
| 2024 | 6,736 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 6,567 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 X5
On a 2017 X5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.5% 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 (2.3% 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 2017 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 34,143 2017 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW X5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2017 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 11.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,143 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.