2006 Bmw X5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,221 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Bmw X5, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.4% was below the average for large SUVs of a similar age (75.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.5% | 3,220 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 2,914 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 2,702 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 1,637 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.9% | 1,538 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 1,163 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,746 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,433 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,326 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,252 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,101 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 1,074 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.9% | 8,204 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.2% | 6,940 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.9% | 6,412 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 3,036 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 2,161 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 2,040 |
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 | 119 | 31.1% |
| 30-60k | 182 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,217 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,393 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 7,465 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 8,697 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,068 | 26.7% |
| Petrol | 1,143 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,554 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 5,147 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 4,571 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 3,868 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 3,081 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 X5
Before buying a 2006 Bmw X5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 14.5% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (14.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2006 Bmw X5s pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 22,221 2006 Bmw X5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Bmw X5?
Brakes, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.1%).
Does the 2006 X5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,221 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.