2008 BMW X5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol BMW X5 first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 382 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 382 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 BMW X5 petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 BMW X5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.
- Engine oil leaks2.3× usualBMW X525.9% All 2008 cars11.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Brake discs: 5.8% here, against 14.6% of all 2008 cars.
Common 2008 BMW X5 petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2008 BMW X5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Oil and fluid leaks28% 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.
- Suspension26% 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.
- Tyres25% 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 electrics20% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes15% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors9% 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 petrol
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.
- Self-levelling rear suspension
Rear air suspension bags
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.
- All engines
Water leaks: driver's carpet and rear lights
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.
- All engines
xDrive faults from mismatched tyres
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.
- All engines
Rattles, peeling trim and sticking door handles
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 BMW X5 petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the rear air suspension been repaired?
- Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 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% |
| 2007 | 9,795 | Suspension 38% |
| 2006 | 9,115 | Brakes 45% |
| 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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score