BMW M5 MOT pass rate and common problems
92.8% of 9,431 BMW M5 MOT tests pass.
The M5 passes its MOT 92.8% of the time — well above the average across all BMW models, which sits at 85.5%.
The BMW M5 passes its MOT 92.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW M5?
This is the average across every BMW M5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 91.4% at 0–3 years versus 90.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.4% | 70 | 31,129 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.3% | 339 | 37,920 miles |
| 6–10 years | 94.4% | 2,986 | 59,621 miles |
| 10–15 years | 93.4% | 2,757 | 69,702 miles |
| 15+ years | 90.6% | 3,279 | 104,264 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW M5
The most common reason the BMW M5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 37.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 26.7% | Fractured or broken |
| Tyres | 25.5% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 23.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Brakes | 22.8% | Excessively binding |
| Visibility | 15.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 5.0% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used BMW M5: what to check
These checks follow the BMW M5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the BMW M5 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.4% to 90.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 92.3% down to 88.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 37.6% of failed BMW M5 MOTs. 5.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 26.7% of failed BMW M5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 25.5% of failed BMW M5 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 23.5% of failed BMW M5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 22.8% of failed BMW M5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check BMW service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related BMW models
- BMW Z3 — 74.8% pass rate
- BMW 8 Series — 91.0% pass rate
- BMW M2 — 93.0% pass rate
- BMW i8 — 93.4% pass rate
- BMW iX3 — 89.9% pass rate
- BMW X7 — 90.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M5?
- 92.8% of BMW M5 MOT tests pass, based on 9,431 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW M5?
- The most common reason the BMW M5 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the BMW M5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW M5 are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 5.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW M5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the BMW M5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.