Is the Bmw 5 series reliable?

The Bmw 5 series has an average MOT pass rate of 84% across 30 years, based on 155,556 tests in 2026. That's 2 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2023 with a 98% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 5 series is best?

The 2023 Bmw 5 series has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 71%. There's a 27 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 5 series

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 30 years from 155,556 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

84%

Total Tests

155,556

Best Year

2023 (98%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 5 series

The Bmw 5 series has been tested 155,556 times in 2026 MOT data across 30 model years (1994 to 2023), with an average pass rate of 84%. That's slightly above the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and hybrid and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2023 model is the most reliable with a 98% pass rate from 185 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 71%. With a 27 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 5 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 11 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1994) averages 134,866 miles, while the newest (2023) averages 24,552 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 5 series is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1998cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2023 details

How reliable is the Bmw 5 series?

vs national average+2% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average-4% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread27 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 5 series by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	98%	185	24,552 mi
2022	96%	586	33,834 mi
2021	93%	4,081	35,046 mi
2020	92%	9,409	40,517 mi
2019	92%	33,766	52,218 mi
2018	91%	40,272	63,822 mi
2017	90%	28,884	73,845 mi
2016	91%	104	58,170 mi
2015	93%	135	77,391 mi
2014	88%	495	96,084 mi
2013	83%	12,106	116,962 mi
2012	83%	12,364	124,375 mi
2011	83%	2,348	129,743 mi
2010	83%	1,299	135,211 mi
2009	83%	1,296	149,453 mi
2008	83%	1,682	154,421 mi
2007	81%	1,827	159,927 mi
2006	80%	1,465	158,383 mi
2005	76%	866	156,443 mi
2004	78%	555	149,786 mi
2003	77%	437	139,654 mi
2002	78%	330	147,542 mi
2001	81%	217	138,008 mi
2000	75%	179	151,070 mi
1999	71%	224	143,099 mi
1998	80%	184	126,519 mi
1997	79%	94	129,696 mi
1996	78%	55	148,837 mi
1995	77%	60	147,066 mi
1994	84%	51	134,866 mi