2011 BMW 5 Series · 46,562 MOT tests
2011 BMW 5 Series reliability
2011 BMW 5 Seriess fail 26% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 5 Series years (46,562 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 26%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 34% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- 124,566
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 12
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 46,562
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2011 against the years either side
- 2010 cars: 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does worse)
- 2012 cars: 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2011 car does better)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.4% of tests fail here (114% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 70% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2011 car carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
Common problems
What fails on a 2011 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10%
- Suspension9.6%
- Tyres6.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%
- Brakes3.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%
- Wheels1.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.72%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.99%
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 2.54%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.54%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.89%
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 1.74%
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 (16.32%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.13%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.75%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (5.51%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (2.45%)
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 2011 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2011 BMW 5 Seriess fail 26% of first MOT tests, 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 5 Series years (46,562 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2011 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (4.72% of tests), position lamp not working (2.99% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.54% of tests).
How many miles should a 2011 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 12, a typical 2011 BMW 5 Series shows 124,566 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2011 car?
A car first registered in 2011 carries a 60 plate (January–February 2011), or a 11 plate (March–August 2011), or a 61 plate (September–December 2011).
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