BMW 550 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 550. Check any 550 by registration number below.

Free, instant, no sign-up required.

86.3%

Avg Pass Rate

-3.6%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 550 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 550 has an average MOT pass rate of 86.3%, which is 3.6 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 550 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 550 fails its MOT are brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded. If you are preparing your 550 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 550, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 550 performs at MOT across different model years.

2014

Based on 76 vehicles

90.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

10.3%

Mileage at 10yr

105k mi

2011

Based on 40 vehicles

92.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

10.0%

Retest Rate

10.0%

2010

Based on 91 vehicles

90.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

9.1%

2008

Based on 51 vehicles

82.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

13.8%

2007

Based on 115 vehicles

87.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

9.5%

2006

Based on 241 vehicles

83.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.2%

Retest Rate

13.5%

2005

Based on 77 vehicles

81.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

7.0%

0

Based on 314 vehicles

82.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

98k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 550

The most common reasons a BMW 550 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded

5.0%

BMW 550 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

2.6%

Rear Nearside

2.6%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

BMW 635

81.8% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 550

BMW 550 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 550 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 550?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 550 is 86.3% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 550?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 550 are: Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded (5.0%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 550 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 86.3%, the BMW 550 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 550?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 550?

Typical mileage for the BMW 550: 105,062 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 550 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 550's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.