How much does a 2006 BMW 550 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 BMW 550?

The 2006 BMW 550 has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 202 tests in 2026. This ranks 77 out of 575 cars from 2006.

Which year BMW 550 is most reliable?

The 2010 BMW 550 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 86%.

BMW 550 (2006)

Q: Is the 2006 BMW 550 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of BMW 550s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 202 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2006 BMW 550?

The average mileage for a 2006 BMW 550 is 107,238 miles, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 202 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4395cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4395cc20 years old202 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4395cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4395cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

86% 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%.

At 20 years old, 86% of BMW 550s from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 202 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 107,238 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars77th of 575(top 13%)

Rank among BMW models1085th of 1,564(top 69%)

vs national average+4%(82% avg)

vs 2006 cars average+13%(73% avg)

vs BMW average-2%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

107,238

Average miles

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 BMW 550 has 107,238 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2010 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 86%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

BMW 550 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	94%	64	66,034 mi
2010	95%	60	61,157 mi
2008	88%	33	92,167 mi
2007	89%	81	78,490 mi
2006	86%	202	107,238 mi
2005	93%	46	127,277 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

JAGUAR XF

2008 · 4196cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-8%

BMW X5

2005 · 4799cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-9%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

2006 · 4197cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

-6%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2005 · 4394cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

-4%

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About the 2006 BMW 550

The 2006 BMW 550 is a premium performance with a 4395cc petrol engine. 202 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2006 cars for reliability.

With an average of 107,238 miles at 20 years old, BMW 550 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2006 BMW 550 Fuel Costs

The 4395cc 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 2006 BMW 550?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 550 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 550s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 BMW 550

At 20 years old, the BMW 550 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 BMW 550's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 20 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

Medium risk

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

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 107k 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 2006 BMW 550 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 550(2006)	86%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
JAGUAR XF(2008)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
BMW X5(2005)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2006)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2005)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510

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.