BMW M5 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW M5. Check any M5 by registration number below.

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91.1%

Avg Pass Rate

+1.2%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW M5 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW M5 has an average MOT pass rate of 91.1%, which is 1.2 percentage points above the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the M5 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW M5 fails its MOT are a wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, emissions levels exceed default limits. If you are preparing your M5 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 M5, 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 M5 performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 43 vehicles

100.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Mileage at 3yr

73k mi

2020

Based on 41 vehicles

95.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Mileage at 3yr

51k mi

2019

Based on 291 vehicles

93.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.8%

Retest Rate

0.8%

Mileage at 5yr

65k mi

2018

Based on 61 vehicles

88.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

13.6%

Mileage at 5yr

66k mi

2017

Based on 54 vehicles

100.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

2016

Based on 1,628 vehicles

94.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.3%

Retest Rate

6.6%

2015

Based on 1,421 vehicles

92.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

6.9%

Mileage at 10yr

104k mi

2014

Based on 1,663 vehicles

93.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.8%

Retest Rate

5.2%

Mileage at 10yr

100k mi

2013

Based on 1,705 vehicles

89.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

9.8%

Mileage at 10yr

104k mi

2012

Based on 1,092 vehicles

93.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.9%

Retest Rate

4.1%

Mileage at 10yr

113k mi

2011

Based on 276 vehicles

93.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.0%

Retest Rate

8.4%

2010

Based on 32 vehicles

78.1%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

59.1%

2009

Based on 47 vehicles

95.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

3.4%

2008

Based on 304 vehicles

94.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

7.5%

2007

Based on 692 vehicles

93.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.9%

Retest Rate

4.2%

2006

Based on 687 vehicles

87.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.7%

Retest Rate

10.4%

2005

Based on 814 vehicles

89.9%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

5.7%

2003

Based on 97 vehicles

91.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

5.1%

2002

Based on 429 vehicles

87.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

3.8%

2001

Based on 669 vehicles

88.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.5%

Retest Rate

8.5%

2000

Based on 558 vehicles

84.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.2%

Retest Rate

10.8%

1999

Based on 307 vehicles

84.4%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

8.0%

1995

Based on 59 vehicles

96.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

1994

Based on 74 vehicles

87.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.2%

1993

Based on 75 vehicles

86.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

6.9%

1992

Based on 62 vehicles

90.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.3%

1991

Based on 53 vehicles

88.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

15.0%

1990

Based on 32 vehicles

93.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

1988

Based on 32 vehicles

93.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

8.0%

1987

Based on 57 vehicles

87.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.7%

1986

Based on 59 vehicles

93.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

0

Based on 4,466 vehicles

88.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

80k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW M5

The most common reasons a BMW M5 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud

5.8%

Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits

4.1%

Emissions levels exceed default limits

4.1%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

2.0%

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

1.6%

BMW M5 Common Faults & Repair Costs

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 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% 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 M5

BMW M5 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW M5 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M5?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW M5 is 91.1% 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 M5?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW M5 are: A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud (5.8%), Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits (4.1%), Emissions levels exceed default limits (4.1%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW M5 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 91.1%, the BMW M5 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 M5?

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 M5?

Typical mileage for the BMW M5: 73,040 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used M5 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW M5's MOT History

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