2010 BMW 5 Series · 33,537 MOT tests
2010 BMW 5 Series reliability
2010 BMW 5 Seriess fail 26.1% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 24 5 Series years (33,537 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 26.1%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 36% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- 125,735
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 13
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 33,537
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2010 against the years either side
- 2009 cars: 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does worse)
- 2011 cars: 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2010 car does better)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.5% of tests fail here (110% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 67% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2010 car carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
Common problems
What fails on a 2010 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Suspension10.4%
- Lights and electrics8.7%
- Tyres6.8%
- Brakes3.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%
- Wheels1.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.01%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.53%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.43%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.15%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.91%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.56%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.19%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.53%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.14%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.35%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (4.77%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (3.19%)
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 2010 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2010 BMW 5 Seriess fail 26.1% of first MOT tests, 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 24 5 Series years (33,537 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2010 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.01% of tests), position lamp not working (2.53% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.43% of tests).
How many miles should a 2010 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 13, a typical 2010 BMW 5 Series shows 125,735 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2010 car?
A car first registered in 2010 carries a 59 plate (January–February 2010), or a 10 plate (March–August 2010), or a 60 plate (September–December 2010).
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