What are the most common problems with a 2006 BMW X5 petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is engine oil leaks: flagged on 27.4% of tests, 2.2× the rate for all 2006 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2006 BMW X5 petrol?

Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 BMW X5 petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2006 BMW X5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol BMW X5 first registered in 2006 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 514 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

514MOTs of 2006 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

65%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)

6,000typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 BMW X5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 BMW X5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

Engine oil leaks2.2× usual

BMW X5
27.4% All 2006 cars
12.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

Common 2006 BMW X5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 BMW X5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

36% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

31% 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.
Tyres

31% 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.
Suspension

30% 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.
Lights and electrics

28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

14% 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 2006 BMW X5 petrol

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

Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 BMW X5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW X5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW X5 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	224	Tyres 12%
2022	8,124	Tyres 25%
2021	13,390	Tyres 25%
2020	14,853	Tyres 23%
2019	25,450	Tyres 23%
2018	20,734	Tyres 26%
2017	18,041	Tyres 26%
2016	18,935	Tyres 26%
2015	20,364	Tyres 27%
2014	15,752	Tyres 26%
2013	9,980	Tyres 29%
2012	11,686	Tyres 31%
2011	11,449	Tyres 30%
2010	10,621	Tyres 30%
2009	11,406	Suspension 33%
2008	9,407	Suspension 36%
2007	9,795	Suspension 38%
2005	14,710	Brakes 43%
2004	8,300	Brakes 42%
2003	5,708	Brakes 45%
2002	3,205	Suspension 42%
2001	1,594	Brakes 42%
2000	–	Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW X5 cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score