2003 BMW X5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 BMW X5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 BMW X5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Engine oil leaks2.4× usual
  BMW X5

  35.1% All 2003 cars

  14.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  BMW X5

  17.7% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  BMW X5

  18.4% All 2003 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Ball joint2.3× usual
  BMW X5

  14.6% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame bushes7.8× usual
  BMW X5

  3.9% All 2003 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2003 BMW X5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 BMW X5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  45% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  44% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  38% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Driveshafts and joints
  18% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 BMW X5 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2003 BMW X5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2003 BMW X5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 BMW X5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?