BMW 5 Series Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the BMW 5 Series fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 155,556 MOT tests across 30 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium performance | Fuel: Hybrid, Petrol, Diesel
89%
BMW 5 Series pass rate
88%
BMW average
82%
All-model average
The BMW 5 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, which is 1 point above the BMW average and 7 points above the average across all models in our data. 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.
Check Your BMW 5 Series's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the BMW 5 Series Fails Its MOT On
Of the 11,958 MOT tests on the BMW 5 Series that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Tyres
41%Cars and vans the same age: 26% (the 5 Series fails on this more often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Suspension
23%Cars and vans the same age: 26% · Typical repair £150-£600
Lights and electrics
22%Cars and vans the same age: 33% (the 5 Series fails on this less often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
11%Cars and vans the same age: 21% (the 5 Series fails on this less often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
10%Cars and vans the same age: 16% (the 5 Series fails on this less often) · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (11% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre has ply or cords exposed (11% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre has a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords (11% of failed tests, tyres)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a BMW 5 Series? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
BMW 5 Series Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each 5 Series year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
BMW 5 Series Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hybrid | 2.0L | 98% | 2% | - |
| 2022 | Hybrid | 2.0L | 96% | 3% | - |
| 2021 | Hybrid | 2.0L | 93% | 6% | 93% (0) |
| 2020 | Petrol | 3.0L | 92% | 7% | 92% (0) |
| 2019 | Petrol | 3.0L | 92% | 8% | 91% (+1) |
| 2018 | Petrol | 3.0L | 91% | 8% | 89% (+2) |
| 2017 | Petrol | 3.0L | 90% | 9% | 87% (+3) |
| 2016 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 91% | 5% | - |
| 2015 | Diesel | 1.8L | 93% | 7% | - |
| 2014 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 88% | 11% | - |
| 2013 | Petrol | 2.0L | 83% | 16% | 80% (+3) |
| 2012 | Petrol | 2.0L | 83% | 16% | 79% (+4) |
| 2011 | Diesel | 3.0L | 83% | 16% | 77% (+6) |
| 2010 | Diesel | 3.0L | 83% | 16% | 75% (+8) |
| 2009 | Diesel | 3.0L | 83% | 16% | 75% (+8) |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.5L | 83% | 16% | 74% (+9) |
| 2007 | Diesel | 2.5L | 81% | 18% | 73% (+8) |
| 2006 | Diesel | 2.5L | 80% | 19% | 73% (+7) |
| 2005 | Diesel | 2.5L | 76% | 21% | - |
| 2004 | Diesel | 2.5L | 78% | 21% | - |
| 2003 | Diesel | 2.5L | 77% | 22% | - |
| 2002 | Diesel | 2.5L | 78% | 19% | - |
| 2001 | Petrol | 2.5L | 81% | 19% | - |
| 2000 | Petrol | 2.5L | 75% | 22% | - |
| 1999 | Petrol | 2.8L | 71% | 28% | - |
| 1998 | Petrol | 2.5L | 80% | 19% | - |
| 1997 | Petrol | 2.8L | 79% | 21% | - |
| 1996 | Petrol | 3.5L | 78% | 22% | - |
| 1995 | Petrol | 1.8L | 77% | 20% | - |
| 1994 | Diesel | 2.5L | 84% | 12% | - |
BMW 5 Series Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the BMW 5 Series? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View BMW 5 Series Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
BMW 5 Series FAQ
What are the most common BMW 5 Series problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the BMW 5 Series that failed at the first attempt most often failed on tyres (41% of the 11,958 failed tests), suspension (23%) and lights and electrics (22%). The single most common fault was "Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit" (11%). Across 155,556 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 89% ended in a pass.
Is the BMW 5 Series reliable?
The BMW 5 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, from 155,556 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed within 2 points of other cars of the same age, so about average for its age.
Which BMW 5 Series years should I avoid?
No BMW 5 Series year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). The years that passed most often for their age were the 2008 (83% of 1,682 tests passed, against 74% for all 2008 cars), the 2007 (81% of 1,827 tests passed, against 73% for all 2007 cars) and the 2010 (83% of 1,299 tests passed, against 75% for all 2010 cars). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common BMW 5 Series faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a BMW 5 Series typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific BMW 5 Series
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Compare the BMW 5 Series
Other BMW Models
Common problems pages for other BMW models