BMW 5 Series common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the BMW 5 Series at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 217,042 UK MOT tests of the BMW 5 Series in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated): recorded on 4.4% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km), 6.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (5.6×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (4×); linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play) (4.8×). The most common reasons a BMW 5 Series fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); position lamp (not working).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the BMW 5 Series
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the BMW 5 Series than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 4.4% | 0.7% | 6.3× | 4,744 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5% | 0.9% | 5.6× | 755 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 12% | 3% | 4× | 4,266 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 1997–1999 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.1% | 1.7% | 4.8× | 633 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 7.1% | 1.9% | 3.7× | 2,145 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 1998–2000 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 6.6% | 1.5% | 4.4× | 485 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.2% | 2% | 3.1× | 3,986 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | MOT fail | 2000–2002 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5.6% | 1.8% | 3.1× | 665 |
BMW 5 Series by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4,954 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.5%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 17,286 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 13,245 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,960 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (5.1%, 2.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 2,441 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (9.8%, 3.6×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 973 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (11%, 3.6×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 355 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (12%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (11%, 3.6×) |
BMW 5 Series by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 445 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5×) |
| 1998 | 874 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.8×) |
| 1999 | 1,096 | Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.4×) |
| 2000 | 1,287 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.4×) |
| 2001 | 1,840 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.1×) |
| 2002 | 2,597 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.7×) |
| 2003 | 2,820 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.9×) |
| 2004 | 3,701 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.7×) |
| 2005 | 5,715 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.1×) |
| 2006 | 7,804 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.7×) |
| 2007 | 9,234 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.7×) |
| 2008 | 7,876 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.4×) |
| 2009 | 7,940 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.3×) |
| 2010 | 9,328 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.2×) |
| 2011 | 12,845 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.9×) |
| 2012 | 14,709 | Ball joint: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (1.8×) |
| 2013 | 14,830 | Nothing stands out |
| 2014 | 16,381 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (1.8×) |
| 2015 | 17,205 | Nothing stands out |
| 2016 | 15,819 | Nothing stands out |
| 2017 | 15,372 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.6×) |
| 2018 | 19,244 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.6×) |
| 2019 | 16,840 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.6×) |
| 2020 | 9,367 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.1×) |
| 2021 | 485 | Tyres (condition): has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.9×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the BMW 5 Series?
In 217,042 UK MOT tests of the BMW 5 Series in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated): recorded on 4.4% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km), 6.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (5.6×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (4×); linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play) (4.8×). The most common reasons a BMW 5 Series fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); position lamp (not working).
Why do BMW 5 Seriess fail the MOT?
Across 217,042 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the BMW 5 Series were coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.7% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.8% of tests); position lamp (not working) (3.4% of tests).
At what mileage do BMW 5 Series problems start?
The clearest BMW 5 Series-specific issue, flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated), peaks against other cars at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) on 2008–2010 cars (4.4% of tests vs 0.7% for all cars that age).
Where does this BMW 5 Series data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 217,042 tests of the BMW 5 Series. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.