2021 BMW 5 Series · 3,388 MOT tests
2021 BMW 5 Series reliability
2021 BMW 5 Seriess fail 7.5% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 24 5 Series years (3,388 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- 7.5%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 5 Seriess: 20.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 43% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- 31,507
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 3
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,388
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2021 against the years either side
- 2020 cars: 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2021 car does better)
- Plates: a 2021 car carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
Common problems
What fails on a 2021 BMW 5 Series
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.8%
- Wheels0.9%
- Lights and electrics0.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%
- Brakes0.2%
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.94%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.65%
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.59%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Road wheel fractured or welded defect 0.35%
A fractured wheel can fail suddenly and cause loss of control, so it must be replaced before driving.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.35%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre lump from structural separation 0.27%
A tyre lump means its structure has partly failed and it could burst, so replace it immediately.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (3.96%) · Nail in tyre, monitor (1%) · Tyre has a shallow cut (0.97%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (0.59%) · Tyre showing slight damage (0.56%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (0.53%)
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 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?
2021 BMW 5 Seriess fail 7.5% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 24 5 Series years (3,388 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2021 BMW 5 Series MOT?
Most often tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.94% of tests), tyre bulge from structural failure (0.65% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.59% of tests).
How many miles should a 2021 BMW 5 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 3, a typical 2021 BMW 5 Series shows 31,507 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2021 car?
A car first registered in 2021 carries a 70 plate (January–February 2021), or a 21 plate (March–August 2021), or a 71 plate (September–December 2021).
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