Executive car · 1998–2021 cars
BMW M5 reliability
The BMW M5 fails 11.4% of first MOT tests, 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 16,546 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a BMW M5 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 11.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 64% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 16,546
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the BMW M5 ages
Each point is the share of BMW M5s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | BMW M5 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 10.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 8.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 8.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 9.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 12% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 9.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 6.8% | 37.3% |
| 14 | 10.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 12.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 10.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 13.9% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 9.1% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 21.4% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 21.7% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 15.1% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 16.6% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 17.4% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 18.7% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst BMW M5 years
2012 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 314 | 6.7% | 53% fewer fails | 40,037 |
| 2016 M5 | 1,974 | 7.2% | 65% fewer fails | 49,120 |
| 2015 M5 | 1,787 | 8.8% | 62% fewer fails | 55,299 |
| 2014 M5 | 2,076 | 10% | 62% fewer fails | 58,963 |
| 2013 M5 | 2,182 | 11.5% | 60% fewer fails | 63,246 |
| 2012 M5 | 1,387 | 9.7% | 70% fewer fails | 68,651 |
| 2011 | 344 | 11.6% | 66% fewer fails | 76,712 |
| 2008 | 397 | 8.3% | 79% fewer fails | 79,691 |
| 2007 | 935 | 9.7% | 76% fewer fails | 82,639 |
| 2006 | 956 | 14.3% | 65% fewer fails | 85,590 |
| 2005 M5 | 1,026 | 13.4% | 68% fewer fails | 90,828 |
| 2002 | 587 | 16.9% | 61% fewer fails | 115,553 |
| 2001 | 917 | 15% | 64% fewer fails | 114,923 |
| 2000 | 808 | 20.7% | 51% fewer fails | 125,765 |
| 1999 | 403 | 20.3% | 50% fewer fails | 123,843 |
Common problems
What fails most on a BMW M5
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics3%77% below avg
- Suspension2.7%75% below avg
- Tyres2.7%56% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2%62% below avg
- Brakes2%76% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.9%53% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%58% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%20% above avg
- Steering0.4%83% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.96% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.89% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.64% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.59% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.58% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.57% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.56% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Lambda reading outside specified limits 0.5% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW M5's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.3%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.21%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.23%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.68%
- Brake pads wearing thin2.11%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear1.32%
Before you buy
What to check on a used BMW M5
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical BMW M5 covers about 7,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0.1%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, Grey, White, Silver
Average engine size: 4.6 litres.
Compare
How the BMW M5 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M5 | 11.4% | 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus GS | 19.4% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW M2 | 9.3% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S90 | 11.7% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S80 | 30.5% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia | 13.3% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q50 | 19.9% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.
Questions
BMW M5 questions, answered
Is the BMW M5 reliable?
On MOT results, the BMW M5 is better than average: it fails 11.4% of first MOT tests, 64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a BMW M5 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW M5 are coil spring fractured or broken (0.96% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.89% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.64% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 3% of its tests.
Which BMW M5 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (70% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a BMW M5 do a year?
A typical BMW M5 covers about 7,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a BMW M5 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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