What are the common problems with the 15+ year old BMW 5 Series?

The top failure areas for the 15+-year-old BMW 5 Series are: Lamps & Electrics (7.1% risk), Suspension (6.5% risk), Brakes (5.7% risk).

BMW 5 Series MOT Failure Rate — 15+ Years Old

Q: Is a 15+ year old BMW 5 Series reliable?

Based on 13,195 MOT tests, 15+-year-old BMW 5 Series has a 33.2% failure rate. This is above the UK average of 28%.

33.2%

MOT failure rate for 15+-year-old BMW 5 Series vehicles

Based on 13,195 MOT tests

5.2pp above the UK average (28%)

This model shows significant deterioration in this age bracket, with a 33.2% failure rate. Pre-MOT inspection strongly recommended, especially for lamps & electrics.

Component Risk Breakdown (15+ Years)

Which parts of a 15+-year-old BMW 5 Series are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Lamps & Electrics 7.1%

Suspension 6.5%

Brakes 5.7%

Tyres 3.7%

Visibility 3.3%

Steering 2.1%

Body & Chassis 1.7%

How Does This Compare?

BMW 5 Series MOT failure rate across all age groups:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
0-2 years	12.2%	35,305	Tyres
3-5 years	10.9%	157,531	Tyres
6-10 years	17.9%	82,055	Tyres
11-15 years	27.0%	35,936	Lamps & Electrics
15+ years	33.2%	13,195	Lamps & Electrics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 15+ year old BMW 5 Series reliable?

15+-year-old BMW 5 Series vehicles have a 33.2% failure rate, which is above average. Consider a pre-MOT inspection, particularly checking lamps & electrics.

What are the common MOT failures on a 15+ year old BMW 5 Series?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

Lamps & Electrics — 7.1% failure risk
Suspension — 6.5% failure risk
Brakes — 5.7% failure risk

How can I prepare my BMW 5 Series for its MOT?

For a 15+-year-old BMW 5 Series, focus on: (1) Lamps & Electrics — the most common failure area at this age. (2) Check all lights and bulbs. (3) Inspect tyres for tread depth and damage. (4) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage (£20–£40). You can also use our free prediction tool for a personalised risk breakdown.

Other BMW 5 Series Age Groups

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Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands for the 15+-year age group, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only combinations with 100+ tests are included. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

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