Is the 2020 BMW 5 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 9,409 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 BMW 5 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 BMW 5 SERIES?

The 2020 BMW 5 SERIES has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 9,409 tests in 2026. This ranks 1233 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

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%.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 BMW 5 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2020 BMW 5 SERIES is 40,517 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 5 SERIES (2020)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 9,409 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol2998cc6 years old9,409 tests41k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/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.

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 6 years old, 92% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,409 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 40,517 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars1233th of 2,596(top 47%)

Rank among BMW models439th of 1,564(top 28%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+0%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,517

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW 5 SERIES has 40,517 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2020 sits between the two at 92%.

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

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+1%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

same

MERCEDES GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+1%

BMW X5

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

same

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About the 2020 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2020 BMW 5 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2998cc petrol engine. 9,409 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 40,517 miles at 6 years old, BMW 5 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 BMW 5 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2998cc petrol 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 petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW 5 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% 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 2020 BMW 5 SERIES

At 6 years old, the BMW 5 SERIES offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 9,409 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 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 6 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.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2020 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(2020)	92%	£1592	£195	Grp 30-42	£2042
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2018)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
MERCEDES GLC(2019)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X5(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5

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.