MOT today..

[Themoog2]

Took the old V8 in for the mot today… It failed. Two rear tyres required. That’s it. Advisories were slight play in one front wheel bearing (don’t know why as that was replaced a few years ago) and a slight oil leak.
I don’t think that’s bad for a 21 year old vehicle.
I very nearly bought a 2006 Mercedes ML 320cdi on Sunday too. Spotted it at a local dealer so took it for a drive. Nice car, smooth, refined and solid feeling. Couldn’t believe how sluggish it was though compared to my X5. I really had to plant my foot to make it gather pace. It was not as high spec as mine either - sounds snobby but no memory seats or rear heated seats, no comfort access.. although it did have auto rear hatch operation which was nice.
Hmm shall I go back..

[X5Sport]

Errm….no. Just my humble opinion of course
The ML was also known for dodgy auto boxes and being a bit ‘industrial’ compared to the BMW.

Sorry about the tyres. My X6 failed on just one slight bulge - but that meant a complete new set

[Themoog2]

Industrial? Really.. It certainly didn’t seem it. It wasn’t the first series with the body on chassis but the monocoque one. It also had the column gear shift which was odd..

[Themoog2]

And.. I’ve just noticed the mileage covered between last mot.
2863 miles…

[henrym3]

Hmmm, wonder if that rear hatch mechanism could be transferred to the x. Three years ago I got an advisory for ball joint play on what was a 6 month old ball joint. Tried every method I knew to find the play, couldn’t. Been through 2 more mot’s without mention.
To be fair though that Mercedes was probably down 100bhp on yours so will feel sluggish.

[Leslie]

Definitely a good result for 21 year old motor

[Greydog]

The 4.6 passed last week with 2 advisories "Third Brake light only 50% operational" and rear tyre wear on the inner edges

The tyre wear I was aware of they are both showing feathering on the inner edge so rear suspension rebuild this weekend, it has been quite awhile since I last checked the bushes. But the third brake light !! 2 lamps at one end not working is all I can see ? Like Henty I wonder if it is mentioned next test.

For a 19 year old that tows and spends a good deal of time in the mud during the winter months as has been said a good result

[henrym3]

Perhaps next year you could take it in muddy and throw some mud over the third brake light

[Alan Gunn]

Or even unplug it.
Not a fail daft or what.
Less than 50% is a fail but nothing at all is a pass.

[henrym3]

On this subject, I have an LED out on one of my tail lights, not a fail, just irritating, how likely is that a failed LED or a bad solder joint?

[X5Sport]

All you can do is see if the individual LED is open or short circuit in both directions with an ohmmeter. The meter should show open circuit in one orientation of the +ve/-ve leads and a near short in the other. Cracked solder is often the cause.

If it is the LED then trying to find a match won’t be easy and BMW only sell a complete assembly