2019 BMW X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
38,882 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW X5 are in this dataset, and 89.4% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 9.8%, so the 2019 X5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.4% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — registration plates alone was recorded 416 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.9% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 3.0pp more often than petrol ones (13.3% vs 10.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.4% | 2,886 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 538 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.9% | 369 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 338 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 301 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 246 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 416 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 356 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 293 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 292 |
| 5 | Washers | 257 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 257 |
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 | 16.6% | 6,459 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.9% | 2,694 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 2,457 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 1,200 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.5% | 992 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 120 |
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 | 12,458 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 20,053 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,336 | 11.9% |
| 90-120k | 824 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 166 | 13.3% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 33,711 | 10.6% |
| Petrol | 3,858 | 10.2% |
| Hybrid | 1,313 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 435 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 10,153 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 9,724 | 10.7% |
| 2024 | 9,366 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 9,204 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2019 X5
On a 2019 X5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.9% 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.
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 2019 BMW X5s pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 38,882 2019 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW X5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2019 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,882 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.