Is the 2008 BMW M5 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 95% of BMW M5s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 229 tests. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2008 BMW M5 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,607 (£217/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 BMW M5?

The 2008 BMW M5 has a 95% MOT pass rate based on 229 tests in 2026. This ranks 24 out of 589 cars from 2008.

Which year BMW M5 is most reliable?

The 2012 BMW M5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 85%.

BMW M5 (2008)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2008 BMW M5?

The average mileage for a 2008 BMW M5 is 81,787 miles, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-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 229 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,607

£217/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4999cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £2607/year to run. 13 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW M5

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol4999cc18 years old229 tests82k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4999cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4999cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,607

Per month£217/mo

Per week£50/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW M5

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 18 years old, 95% of BMW M5s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 229 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 81,787 miles.

Got a BMW M5 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars24th of 589(top 4%)

Rank among BMW models199th of 1,564(top 13%)

vs national average+13%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average+22%(73% avg)

vs BMW average+7%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

81,787

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 BMW M5 has 81,787 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW M5?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2012 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 85%. The 2008 sits between the two at 95%.

BMW M5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	100%	43	45,385 mi
2020	100%	35	34,728 mi
2019	95%	255	39,872 mi
2018	92%	50	45,133 mi
2017	100%	39	58,281 mi
2016	94%	1,332	59,490 mi
2015	94%	1,111	60,765 mi
2014	94%	1,304	62,382 mi
2013	91%	1,310	66,323 mi
2012	95%	815	76,211 mi
2011	95%	219	76,893 mi
2010	77%	35	77,493 mi
2009	97%	30	74,096 mi
2008	95%	229	81,787 mi
2007	95%	467	83,923 mi
2006	89%	466	84,560 mi
2005	91%	597	92,623 mi
2003	94%	62	121,472 mi
2002	90%	272	119,488 mi
2001	90%	435	117,951 mi
2000	85%	359	125,310 mi
1999	89%	229	124,156 mi
1995	100%	44	125,572 mi
1994	90%	50	115,651 mi
1993	90%	62	127,582 mi
1992	92%	48	150,004 mi
1991	91%	46	110,152 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW X5

2010 · 4799cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

-9%

AUDI A6

2009 · 4991cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

-14%

MERCEDES ML

2006 · 4966cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

-15%

PORSCHE CAYENNE

2006 · 4511cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

-9%

Check a Specific Bmw M5

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2008 BMW M5

The 2008 BMW M5 is a premium performance with a 4999cc petrol engine. 229 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 81,787 miles at 18 years old, BMW M5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 BMW M5 Fuel Costs

The 4999cc 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 2008 BMW M5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,607 (£217/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW M5 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW M5s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 BMW M5

At 18 years old, the BMW M5 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 2012 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 BMW M5's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 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

Medium risk

With an average of 82k 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 2008 BMW M5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW M5(2008)	95%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2607
BMW X5(2010)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360
AUDI A6(2009)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360
MERCEDES ML(2006)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360
PORSCHE CAYENNE(2006)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360

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.