BMW 5 SERIES Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 4,418 MOT tests from 510 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 5 SERIES has the same fault.

BMW 5 SERIES's have a very good reliability rating of 709/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 5 SERIES that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the BMW 5 SERIES.

BMW 5 SERIES (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	880/999Excellent	77,574 miles	1,647 vehicles
N/A	N/A	839/999Excellent	75,628 miles	1,452 vehicles
N/A	N/A	830/999Excellent	78,404 miles	5,511 vehicles
N/A	N/A	830/999Excellent	74,432 miles	687 vehicles
N/A	N/A	810/999Excellent	73,943 miles	659 vehicles
N/A	N/A	804/999Excellent	77,362 miles	3,780 vehicles
N/A	N/A	797/999Very good	76,004 miles	3,022 vehicles
N/A	N/A	612/999Good	80,567 miles	4,546 vehicles
N/A	N/A	610/999Good	80,619 miles	4,716 vehicles
N/A	N/A	570/999Above average	93,633 miles	517 vehicles
N/A	N/A	570/999Above average	84,645 miles	552 vehicles
N/A	N/A	540/999Above average	84,517 miles	627 vehicles
N/A	N/A	522/999Above average	82,947 miles	549 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 5 SERIES?

Based on 4,418 MOT tests from 510 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

510

MOT tests

4,418

Pass rate

85.9%

Median mileage

87,324 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 5 SERIES has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 801 out of 999.

Common BMW 5 SERIES MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 559 advisory comments and 131 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 207 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 115 advisory comments and 12 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 79 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 41 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 38 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Indicator faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an indicator or side repeater that was not working or was insecure.

What to inspect

Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE SIDE REPEATER NOT WORKING (4.4.1 (A) (II))

BMW 5 SERIES MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2022	8	24	95.8%	Tyre wear
2021	8	29	96.6%	Tyre wear
2020	23	107	89.7%	Tyre wear
2019	97	589	91.7%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2018	132	915	89.3%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2017	98	788	89.7%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2014	7	44	100%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	37	478	83.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	37	522	79.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	7	95	82.1%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	5	60	88.3%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	8	118	80.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2008	6	120	78.3%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2007	7	135	76.3%	Registration plate condition, Tyre wear
2005	5	125	75.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW 5 SERIES

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Indicator faults. Check every indicator, including the side repeaters.

Buying a BMW 5 SERIES?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 5 SERIESs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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