BMW 5 Series (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 4,081 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Hybrid

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £2,086/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 (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

93% of MOT tests on BMW 5 Seriess from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 4,081 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 35,046 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1428th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among BMW models339th of 1,548(top 22%)

vs average of all models+11%(82% avg)

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

vs BMW average+5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,046

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 5 Series had 35,046 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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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

£1,853/year

92%

-1%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

+1%

Toyota Prius

2019 · 1797cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

+1%

Toyota C-HR

2019 · 1987cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

92%

-1%

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About the 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is a premium car. Our records list a 1998cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 4,081 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,046 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 5 Series owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 BMW 5 Series Fuel Costs

The 1998cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 36 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot 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 £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 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 pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 5 Series(2021)	93%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
MINI Cooper S(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same
Toyota Prius(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same
Toyota C-HR(2019)	92%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2021 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2021 BMW 5 Seriess ended in a pass, from 4,081 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

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

Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

93% of 4,081 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 5 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1428th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

Which year BMW 5 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 5 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 1999 the lowest at 71%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW 5 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 5 Series is 35,046 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.