How much does a 2013 BMW 5 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2013 BMW 5 SERIES?

The 2013 BMW 5 SERIES has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 12,106 tests in 2026. This ranks 322 out of 626 cars from 2013.

Which year BMW 5 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2023 BMW 5 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 71%.

BMW 5 SERIES (2013)

Q: Is the 2013 BMW 5 SERIES reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 12,106 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2013 BMW 5 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2013 BMW 5 SERIES is 116,962 miles, which is above the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 12,106 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 5 SERIES

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1997cc13 years old12,106 tests117k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 5 SERIES

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 13 years old, 83% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 12,106 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 116,962 miles.

Got a BMW 5 SERIES you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 cars322th of 626(top 51%)

Rank among BMW models1213th of 1,564(top 78%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 2013 cars average+3%(80% avg)

vs BMW average-5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,962

Average miles

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2013 BMW 5 SERIES has 116,962 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Looking at a specific BMW 5 SERIES?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2023 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 71%. The 2013 sits between the two at 83%.

BMW 5 SERIES by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-5%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

72%

-11%

BMW 3 SERIES

2015 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,677/year

88%

+5%

MERCEDES C

2012 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

-4%

Check a Specific Bmw 5 series

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2013 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2013 BMW 5 SERIES is a premium with a 1997cc petrol engine. 12,106 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 116,962 miles at 13 years old, BMW 5 SERIES owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2013 BMW 5 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1997cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2013 BMW 5 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 5 SERIES Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2013 BMW 5 SERIES

At 13 years old, the BMW 5 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 12,106 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2013 BMW 5 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 13 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 117k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2013 BMW 5 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 5 SERIES(2013)	83%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
FORD FOCUS(2013)	78%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2013)	72%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)	88%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£370
MERCEDES C(2012)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.