Does the BMW X5 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The BMW X5 records 1.18 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.09 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.91, 95% interval −1.96 to −1.87). It ranks 474 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a BMW X5 by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW X5 is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 2,057 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 2,057 | 0.39 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 1,679 | 0.32 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 1,454 | 0.28 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 239 | 0.05 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 199 | 0.04 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 522,338 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a BMW X5 gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.5% of BMW X5 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 5,170 miles later (2,866 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,866 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
BMW X5 2000 · BMW X5 2001 · BMW X5 2002 · BMW X5 2003 · BMW X5 2004 · BMW X5 2005 · BMW X5 2006 · BMW X5 2007 · BMW X5 2008 · BMW X5 2009 · BMW X5 2010 · BMW X5 2011 · BMW X5 2012 · BMW X5 2013 · BMW X5 2014 · BMW X5 2015 · BMW X5 2016 · BMW X5 2017 · BMW X5 2018 · BMW X5 2019 · BMW X5 2020 · BMW X5 in Norway · BMW X5 in Finland · BMW X5 in the Netherlands · BMW X5 by postcode area · BMW X5 body, chassis and structure failures · BMW X5 brakes failures · BMW X5 vehicle identification failures · BMW X5 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · BMW X5 noise, emissions and leaks failures · BMW X5 road wheels failures · BMW X5 seat belts and airbags failures · BMW X5 suspension failures · BMW X5 tyres failures · BMW X5 visibility failures