Is the 2021 BMW 5 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 4,081 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 BMW 5 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 5 SERIES?

The 2021 BMW 5 SERIES has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 4,081 tests in 2026. This ranks 1455 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

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 2021 BMW 5 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2021 BMW 5 SERIES is 35,046 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 5 SERIES (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,081 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Hybrid

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Hybrid1998cc5 years old4,081 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 5 years old, 93% of BMW 5 SERIESs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,081 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 35,046 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1455th of 3,373(top 43%)

Rank among BMW models342th of 1,564(top 22%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+1%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,046

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 5 SERIES has 35,046 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 93%.

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

MINI COOPER S

2019 · 1499cc Hybrid

£1,582/year

92%

-1%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

94%

+1%

TOYOTA C-HR

2019 · 1987cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

92%

-1%

MINI COUNTRYMAN

2019 · 1499cc Hybrid

£1,582/year

93%

same

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About the 2021 BMW 5 SERIES

The 2021 BMW 5 SERIES is a premium with a 1998cc hybrid engine. 4,081 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,046 miles at 5 years old, BMW 5 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 BMW 5 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1998cc hybrid 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 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 2021 BMW 5 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% 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 2021 BMW 5 SERIES

At 5 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 BMW 5 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 5 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

Low 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.

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 2021 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(2021)	93%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1777
MINI COOPER S(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019)	94%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£5
TOYOTA C-HR(2019)	92%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£5
MINI COUNTRYMAN(2019)	93%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195

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.