Is the 2016 BMW 5 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 104 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW 5 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 5 SERIES?

The 2016 BMW 5 SERIES has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 104 tests in 2026. This ranks 185 out of 586 cars from 2016.

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 (2016)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 5 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 5 SERIES is 58,170 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 104 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Hybrid

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Hybrid2979cc10 years old104 tests58k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2979cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,277

Per month£190/mo

Per week£44/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 91% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 104 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 58,170 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars185th of 586(top 32%)

Rank among BMW models639th of 1,564(top 41%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+6%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+3%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

58,170

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 5 SERIES has 58,170 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2016 sits between the two at 91%.

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

LEXUS NX

2017 · 2494cc Hybrid

£2,037/year

94%

+3%

LEXUS RX

2017 · 3456cc Hybrid

£2,037/year

95%

+4%

LEXUS IS

2016 · 2494cc Hybrid

£2,097/year

91%

same

LEXUS GS

2016 · 3456cc Hybrid

£2,097/year

94%

+3%

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About the 2016 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2016 BMW 5 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2979cc hybrid engine. 104 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 58,170 miles at 10 years old, BMW 5 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 BMW 5 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2979cc hybrid engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 5 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2016 BMW 5 SERIES

At 10 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 5 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 10 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

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.

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 2016 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(2016)	91%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2277
LEXUS NX(2017)	94%	£1592	£190	Grp 25-38	£2037-£240
LEXUS RX(2017)	95%	£1592	£190	Grp 35-50	£2037-£240
LEXUS IS(2016)	91%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2097-£180
LEXUS GS(2016)	94%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2097-£180

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.