2018 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 40,450 MOT tests, the 2018 BMW X5 recorded an 89.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests against 2.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 1,025 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.3% in the 0-30k band and 15.0% in the 150k+ band, a 5.7-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 9.2% fail against 12.5% for hybrid, a 3.4-point gap across 3,974 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 2,722 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 1,010 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 630 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 532 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 394 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 372 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,025 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 656 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 508 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 501 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 383 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 279 |
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 | 19.7% | 7,977 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 3,341 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.5% | 3,044 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,501 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.2% | 1,283 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 665 |
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 | 9,829 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 19,946 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 8,332 | 11.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,737 | 13.2% |
| 120-150k | 423 | 11.3% |
| 150k+ | 180 | 15.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 36,476 | 10.9% |
| Hybrid | 2,349 | 12.5% |
| Petrol | 1,625 | 9.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,876 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 8,304 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 7,890 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 7,772 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 7,608 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 X5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.7% 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.
- Visibility (2.5% 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 (1.6% 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 2018 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
89.1% of the 40,450 2018 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW X5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.5%).
Does the 2018 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 15.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 40,450 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.