2005 BMW 5 Series · 20,663 MOT tests
2005 BMW 5 Series reliability
2005 BMW 5 Seriess fail 33% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 5 Series years (20,663 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 33%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 28% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 155,640
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 20,663
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.6% of tests fail here (114% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 79% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics12.8%
- Suspension12.3%
- Brakes10.6%
- Tyres7.4%
- Seat belts and airbags6.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%
- Steering4.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 4.84%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.94%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.79%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.6%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.59%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.52%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.49%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.17%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.04%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.84%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.33%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (5.82%)
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 2005 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2005 BMW 5 Seriess fail 33% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 5 Series years (20,663 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (4.84% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.94% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (2.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2005 BMW 5 Series shows 155,640 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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