Is the BMW X5 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 90,495 MOT tests, around 39% of BMW X5s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 43% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 18%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 86% diesel, 8% petrol. Diesel X5s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol X5 in the data (2001 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 39%
- Likely charged
- 43%
- Depends on the car
- 18%
- MOT tests analysed
- 90,495
Check a specific X5
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
X5 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many X5s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) | Hybrid (diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant38 tested | Likely compliant47 tested | Likely compliant171 tested | Likely compliant167 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant2,202 tested | Likely compliant789 tested | Likely compliant1,372 tested | Likely compliant764 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant7,612 tested | Likely compliant867 tested | Likely compliant301 tested | – |
| 2018 | Likely compliant6,420 tested | Likely compliant301 tested | Likely compliant392 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant5,205 tested | Likely compliant285 tested | Likely compliant652 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant5,613 tested | Likely compliant178 tested | Likely compliant683 tested | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car6,686 tested | Likely compliant119 tested | Likely compliant128 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car5,320 tested | Likely compliant36 tested | – | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged3,424 tested | Likely compliant29 tested | – | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged4,043 tested | Likely compliant30 tested | – | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged4,017 tested | Likely compliant79 tested | – | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged3,735 tested | Likely compliant96 tested | – | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged4,049 tested | Likely compliant97 tested | – | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged3,357 tested | Likely compliant135 tested | – | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged3,389 tested | Likely compliant378 tested | – | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged3,390 tested | Likely compliant193 tested | – | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,995 tested | Check Euro standard786 tested | – | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged2,319 tested | Check Euro standard1,014 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged1,452 tested | Check Euro standard962 tested | – | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged672 tested | Check Euro standard709 tested | – | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged217 tested | Check Euro standard447 tested | – | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the X5
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (86% of X5s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (8% of X5s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (petrol) (4% of X5s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (diesel) (1% of X5s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
X5s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (18% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how X5s fare at the MOT too: see the BMW X5 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW X5 for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW X5s in this data were first registered between 2001 and 2021. 2019 was the most common year, with 8,780 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
X5s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 86% of the time, at an average of 51,123 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 70% of the time with 125,062 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel X5s likely to comply are from 2016. 5,613 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 88% of the time and averaged 67,887 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol X5s likely to comply are from 2006. 193 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 61% of the time and averaged 144,320 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the X5's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (3.9% of tests); tyres: "has ply or cords exposed" (2.9%); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (2.6%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.7% of tests.
Overall, 78% of X5s passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 90,850 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 90,495 first MOT tests of the BMW X5 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 90,495 MOT tests say about the BMW X5 and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW X5 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 39% of X5s on the road are likely compliant and 43% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol X5 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol X5s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel X5 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel X5s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific X5 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your X5 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.