BMW 5 Series MOT Failure Rate — 3-5 Years Old

10.9%
MOT failure rate for 3-5-year-old BMW 5 Series vehicles
Based on 157,531 MOT tests
17.1pp below the UK average (28%)

BMW 5 Series shows good reliability at this age, with a 10.9% failure rate — below the national average.

Component Risk Breakdown (3-5 Years)

Which parts of a 3-5-year-old BMW 5 Series are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Tyres 2.6%
Lamps & Electrics 0.6%
Visibility 0.4%
Brakes 0.4%
Suspension 0.3%
Body & Chassis 0.2%
Steering 0.0%

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 3-5 year old BMW 5 Series reliable?

Yes. Based on 157,531 MOT tests, 3-5-year-old BMW 5 Series vehicles have a 10.9% failure rate, which is below the UK average of 28%. This is a reliable choice at this age.

What are the common MOT failures on a 3-5 year old BMW 5 Series?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

  • Tyres — 2.6% failure risk
  • Lamps & Electrics — 0.6% failure risk
  • Visibility — 0.4% failure risk

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

For a 3-5-year-old BMW 5 Series, focus on: (1) Tyres — 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 3-5-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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