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Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

BMW 5 Series reliability

The BMW 5 Series fails 20.4% of first MOT tests, 35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 763,808 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 82/100#18 of 40 executive cars

Checking a BMW 5 Series before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
20.4%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
35% fewer
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
763,808
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
11,100
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The BMW 5 Series is a sound choice at MOT time. Its first-time fail rate is 20.4%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 35% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The year matters: 2015 was the best year, with 46% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 1998 was the weakest, with 6% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

Wheels are the weak spot, with 114% more fails there than comparable cars, so check them closely. Check your tyre tread, as tread below 1.6mm was the most common failure at 2.04% of tests. Then look for tyre ply or cords exposed (1.6% of tests), a fractured or broken coil spring (1.79%) and a position lamp not working (1.19%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW 5 Series ages

Each point is the share of BMW 5 Seriess of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%12.5%25%37.5%50%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
BMW 5 SeriesAll cars
BMW 5 Series first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)BMW 5 SeriesAll cars
310.9%12.3%
410.5%14.1%
511.6%16.4%
612.6%19.1%
714.5%22.1%
816.6%25.5%
919.1%28.8%
1022.1%31.8%
1125%34.6%
1225.7%37.3%
1326.6%39.5%
1427.7%41.1%
1529.3%42.3%
1630.6%42.9%
1732.5%43.4%
1832.2%43.5%
1933.5%43.4%
2034.7%42.8%
2133.5%41.4%
2235.1%40.6%
2334%38.9%
2435.8%37.1%
2535.6%35.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW 5 Series years

2015 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW 5 Series MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 5 Series3,3887.5%43% fewer fails31,507
2020 5 Series19,0129.1%36% fewer fails35,495
2019 5 Series51,83910.4%34% fewer fails42,082
2018 5 Series73,74611.5%35% fewer fails50,640
2017 5 Series58,86512.5%39% fewer fails61,219
2016 5 Series56,81213.4%43% fewer fails71,896
2015 5 Series61,49414.7%46% fewer fails84,479
2014 5 Series59,37917.1%45% fewer fails97,509
2013 5 Series54,07322.1%35% fewer fails105,883
2012 5 Series54,25624.6%33% fewer fails115,291
2011 5 Series46,56226%34% fewer fails124,566
2010 5 Series33,53726.1%36% fewer fails125,735
2009 5 Series28,40127.2%37% fewer fails137,044
2008 5 Series28,17928.1%36% fewer fails144,081
2007 5 Series33,09430.1%33% fewer fails151,690
2006 5 Series27,84432.2%29% fewer fails155,305
2005 5 Series20,66333%28% fewer fails155,640
2004 5 Series13,15734.7%24% fewer fails144,101
2003 5 Series10,36034.1%25% fewer fails136,533
2002 5 Series9,19134.6%22% fewer fails139,620
2001 5 Series6,36634.6%20% fewer fails134,226
2000 5 Series4,55334.9%17% fewer fails132,760
1999 5 Series4,62436.6%10% fewer fails134,291
1998 5 Series3,43236.6%6% fewer fails124,533
199780535.9%7% fewer fails128,171

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW 5 Series

Its weak spot is wheels: 114% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Tyres6.6%6% below avg
  • Lights and electrics5.9%55% below avg
  • Suspension5.9%44% below avg
  • Brakes3.7%55% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%41% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%61% below avg
  • Steering1.4%40% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags1.1%21% below avg
  • Wheels1.1%114% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.04% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Coil spring fractured or broken 1.79% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  3. 3

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.6% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  4. 4

    Position lamp not working 1.19% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  5. 5

    Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.14% of tests

    A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

  6. 6

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.96% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  7. 7

    Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.93% of tests

    Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

  8. 8

    Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 0.81% of tests

    Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW 5 Series's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit13.65%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.22%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored4.75%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive4.12%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.34%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.49%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW 5 Series

  1. 1

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  2. 2

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  3. 3

    Tyre ply or cords exposed

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  4. 4

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical BMW 5 Series covers about 11,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel79.7%
  • Petrol13.7%
  • Hybrid6.6%
  • LPG0%
  • Electric0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Blue, White, Silver

Average engine size: 2.3 litres.

Compare

How the BMW 5 Series compares with its rivals

BMW 5 Series against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Audi A620.1%36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series20.4%35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 4 Series14.1%34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A519.7%30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class21%27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A426.5%21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz C-Class24%18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW 5 Series questions, answered

Is the BMW 5 Series reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW 5 Series is better than average: it fails 20.4% of first MOT tests, 35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW 5 Series MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 5 Series are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.04% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.79% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.6% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.6% of its tests.

Which BMW 5 Series year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW 5 Series do a year?

A typical BMW 5 Series covers about 11,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW 5 Series before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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