2003 BMW 5 Series · 10,360 MOT tests
2003 BMW 5 Series reliability
2003 BMW 5 Seriess fail 34.1% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 5 Series years (10,360 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 34.1%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 25% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 136,533
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 10,360
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.4% of tests fail here (20% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 67% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Suspension13.7%
- Lights and electrics13.2%
- Brakes12.3%
- Tyres6.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Steering4.4%
- Seat belts and airbags4.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.03%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.75%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.71%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.67%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.57%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (17.29%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.04%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.65%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.57%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.03%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.16%)
Other years
Every BMW 5 Series year
The full picture: BMW 5 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 5 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2003 BMW 5 Seriess fail 34.1% of first MOT tests, 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 5 Series years (10,360 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.03% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.75% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2003 BMW 5 Series shows 136,533 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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