2015 BMW X5 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 84.7% of BMW X5s first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. Across 20,506 X5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW X5s first used in 2015 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2015 BMW X5 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, X5s first used in 2015 against all cars first used in 2015 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the X5 figure was 12.8 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2015 X5 | All cars first used 2015 | X5 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.3% | 79.7% | 7,278 |
| 2022 | 85.7% | 77.8% | 7,095 |
| 2023 | 86.4% | 75.5% | 6,933 |
| 2024 | 86.1% | 73.5% | 6,844 |
| 2025 | 84.7% | 71.9% | 6,729 |
Common 2015 BMW X5 MOT failures
Share of the 2,922 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 18.2% | 531 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 13.8% | 403 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.3% | 359 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 8.1% | 238 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 6.8% | 198 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an X5 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2015 BMW X5 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2015 BMW X5 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2015 X5s, as a share of all 20,506 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.5% | 3,596 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.8% | 1,195 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 4.0% | 827 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.8% | 780 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 3.1% | 636 |
Questions about the 2015 BMW X5 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 BMW X5?
In 2025, 84.7% of X5s first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2015 X5 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 46.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (16.9%) and brakes (13.7%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (18.2%).
How often does a 2015 BMW X5 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 15.3% of first tests on X5s first used in 2015 did not pass first time: 13.2% failed, and a further 2.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,922 of 20,506 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2015 BMW X5 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.8%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (4.0%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.8%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (3.1%).
Is a 2015 BMW X5 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.3% in 2021 to 84.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2015
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2015 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2015 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2015 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2015 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2015 X5?
The numbers above cover every X5 first used in 2015 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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