2008 BMW X5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 BMW X5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 BMW X5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Engine oil leaks1.6× usual
  BMW X5

  18.6% All 2008 cars

  11.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2008 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.

• Ball joint1.7× usual
  BMW X5

  11% All 2008 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

• Rear fog light3.4× usual
  BMW X5

  3.4% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Electronic parking brake22× usual
  BMW X5

  2.2% All 2008 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

• Transmission oil leaks1.8× usual
  BMW X5

  2.1% All 2008 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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 2008 BMW X5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 BMW X5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  36% 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.

• Tyres
  32% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  23% 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
  20% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2008 BMW X5 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear air suspension bags

  Self-levelling rear suspension

  The airbags on the self-levelling rear suspension are a known weak point, and axle, suspension and electrical repairs are expensive.

  At the viewing: Look at the rear ride height after it's been parked, and listen for the compressor.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

• Water leaks: driver's carpet and rear lights

  All engines

  A blocked or broken rear washer pipe can soak the driver's carpet, and rear light clusters can leak.

  At the viewing: Feel the driver's carpet and look inside the rear lights.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

• xDrive faults from mismatched tyres

  All engines

  The four-wheel-drive system can be damaged when tyres on the same axle have very different tread depths. Early gearboxes shifted abruptly until a software update.

  At the viewing: Check the tyres match and have similar tread.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

• Rattles, peeling trim and sticking door handles

  All engines

  Rattles from the glovebox, sunroof, rear seats and tailgate, peeling interior plastic and sticking door handles are reported.

  At the viewing: Listen on a rough road and try every door handle.

  Source: What Car?: used BMW X5 (2007-2013) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 BMW X5 diesel

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

1. Has the rear air suspension been repaired?
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 BMW X5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 BMW X5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2008 BMW X5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?