Yeah your right, I might just have to find a shop ASAP instead of driving it with the safety systems inactive.. It started as intermittent the first few times as it was only happening every 2nd or 3rd drive.. but it's quickly became every drive..
I'm in New South Wales Australia and I'm not sure what u mean by an "Indy shop"?

The cars a 2005 3.0 turbo diesel but not sure of the month right now as I'm at work and can't check the cars papers..

Cheers guys I've got an idea of what could be wrong now and how to go about finding the fault my self.. I've order the scanner but like you've said it might be best to chase up a shop ASAP as it's probably not the safest X5 on the road at the moment