BMW 5 Series: what fails at MOT
341,000 MOT tests on the BMW 5 Series in 2024, counted. 17.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
17.5% of BMW 5 Series tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.5%, so the 5 Series does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4% of tests), lights and electrics (3.1% of tests) and suspension (3.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,880 | 10.0% | 10.9% | 29,800 21,200 to 41,800 |
| 2020 | 16,403 | 8.9% | 11.5% | 36,300 26,000 to 50,000 |
| 2019 | 30,091 | 9.6% | 13.4% | 46,800 34,500 to 63,300 |
| 2018 | 33,767 | 10.9% | 15.6% | 58,400 43,900 to 77,100 |
| 2017 | 27,489 | 12.2% | 18.2% | 69,400 53,200 to 89,700 |
| 2016 | 24,976 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 79,200 60,100 to 103,900 |
| 2015 | 26,975 | 14.3% | 24.4% | 91,500 70,600 to 117,600 |
| 2014 | 26,323 | 15.9% | 27.7% | 104,400 81,100 to 132,200 |
| 2013 | 24,141 | 20.7% | 30.6% | 111,600 88,600 to 139,400 |
| 2012 | 24,340 | 23.3% | 33.4% | 121,300 96,700 to 147,100 |
| 2011 | 20,071 | 23.9% | 36.1% | 128,500 103,800 to 154,700 |
| 2010 | 14,140 | 24.0% | 38.6% | 129,300 104,200 to 157,700 |
| 2009 | 11,826 | 24.8% | 39.8% | 141,800 113,300 to 167,900 |
| 2008 | 11,502 | 26.0% | 41.5% | 147,500 120,600 to 176,600 |
| 2007 | 13,555 | 27.7% | 41.5% | 155,900 126,400 to 186,100 |
| 2006 | 11,122 | 30.5% | 42.4% | 157,600 127,800 to 186,400 |
| 2005 | 8,157 | 30.2% | 42.2% | 157,600 126,200 to 187,100 |
| 2004 | 4,959 | 32.5% | 42.3% | 145,200 114,700 to 174,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW 5 Series tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 5 Series | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.0% | 4.2% | |
| Lights and electrics | 3.1% | 7.2% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 5.8% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 4.4% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.5% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.8% | 2.0% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.3% | |
| Wheels | 0.6% | 0.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Headlamp aim1.1%
- Coil spring1.1%
- Side light0.9%
- Washers0.8%
- Headlamp0.7%
- Brake pads0.6%
- Track rod end0.6%
- Shock absorbers0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Side light: not working0.8%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.6%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.4%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.7%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.2%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a BMW 5 Series's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.