BMW X5: suspension MOT failures
Of the 526,447 BMW X5 MOT tests in this dataset, 5.4% recorded at least one suspension failure. It shows up most on 2003 and 2005 cars.
Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair cost: £150–£450 per corner (rough UK ballpark, not a quote).
Suspension failures by year
| Model year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4,556 | 11.7% |
| 2002 | 9,073 | 12.0% |
| 2003 | 15,764 | 12.2% |
| 2004 | 21,217 | 12.0% |
| 2005 | 36,630 | 12.2% |
| 2006 | 22,224 | 12.2% |
| 2007 | 22,398 | 10.3% |
| 2008 | 20,741 | 10.1% |
| 2009 | 24,466 | 9.0% |
| 2010 | 22,331 | 7.4% |
| 2011 | 23,750 | 7.3% |
| 2012 | 23,974 | 6.0% |
| 2013 | 19,944 | 3.2% |
| 2014 | 30,000 | 2.5% |
| 2015 | 38,798 | 1.9% |
| 2016 | 35,602 | 1.1% |
| 2017 | 34,143 | 1.1% |
| 2018 | 40,450 | 0.9% |
| 2020 | 16,694 | 0.6% |
| 2021 | 15,298 | 0.6% |
Methodology & source. 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.