2009 BMW X5 3.0L Diesel · E2 AFS

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the MOT history reveals a persistent trend of neglect regarding the rear suspension components. While the most recent test in June 2025 at 102,923 miles resulted in a pass, it introduced new advisories for worn tyres and a damaged windscreen that were not present in previous years. The recurring failure of the anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers has appeared annually since 2021, indicating that the owner only addresses specific faults rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 17 years old, the recorded mileage of 102,923 miles represents an average annual usage of approximately 6,000 miles. This low-mile profile is typical for older luxury SUVs but the data shows steady accumulation of miles, with roughly 5,200 miles driven between the June 2024 and June 2025 tests. This consistent usage pattern suggests the drivetrain and engine have not faced extreme stress, though low mileage often means that rubber components and bushings perish due to age and environmental exposure rather than mileage-related wear. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear suspension assembly, as the tester consistently flagged deteriorated anti-roll bar linkages and a worn lower suspension arm bush in 2023. The repeated deterioration of these dust covers suggests the ball joints are likely nearing failure, which will lead to knocking noises and unpredictable handling if not replaced. The 2025 advisory for rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge indicates a potential alignment issue or uneven wear pattern that warrants a check of the rear control arm bushings and subframe geometry. Given the vehicle's age, the chassis should also be inspected for structural corrosion to ensure the integrity remains sound despite the low mileage.