BMW X5 (2001)
2001 BMW X5
CarHunch analysed 5,738 real MOT records for the 2001 BMW X5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 BMW X5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 69.6%, which is 10 points below the UK average of 80% and a significant red flag for reliability. More concerning, nearly 40% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, meaning structural, braking, or safety failures are commonplace in this cohort—this is a serious buyer concern.
At nearly 99,000 miles on average, these cars are well-used, yet they still accumulate an average of 4.75 failures and 20.3 advisories per test, suggesting expensive wear issues beyond normal aging. Before buying a 2001 X5, have a specialist pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system, suspension, and brake components, as the high failure rate indicates these are the vehicles' weak points.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2001 BMW X5
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 39.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW X5
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (72%) | 4,157 | 69.1% | 4.67 |
| Diesel (25%) | 1,430 | 70.9% | 4.97 |
| LPG (2%) | 133 | 72.2% | 4.55 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 15 | 73.6% | 5.47 |
| CNG (0%) | 2 | 65.5% | 5 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 94.4% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 BMW X5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 BMW X5 vehicles fall between 76,003 and 109,714 miles.
2001 BMW X5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 380 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 BMW X5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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81.2%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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80.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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74.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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51.8%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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50.2%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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48.4%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW X5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.