2012 BMW 5 Series · 54,256 MOT tests
2012 BMW 5 Series reliability
2012 BMW 5 Seriess fail 24.6% of first MOT tests, 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 5 Series years (54,256 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 24.6%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 33% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 115,291
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 54,256
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1.2% of tests fail here (105% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: brakes, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.5%
- Suspension8.4%
- Tyres6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%
- Brakes3%
- Wheels1.2%
- Steering1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.61%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.56%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 2.51%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.83%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.72%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.25%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.33%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.54%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.64%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (2.95%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (2.67%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (2.26%)
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 2012 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2012 BMW 5 Seriess fail 24.6% of first MOT tests, 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 5 Series years (54,256 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (4.61% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.56% of tests), position lamp not working (2.51% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 BMW 5 Series shows 115,291 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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