BMW 545
From 484 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded and an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 22 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 22 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 15 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 14 |
| any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | 12 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 11 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 9 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 9 |
| a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 8 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 7 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 7 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.8% of 545 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 50.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £136.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 80.4% | any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2004 | 70.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
Typical mileage
Half of all 545s tested had between 105,265 and 150,600 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 124,500 median miles, the 545 has 0.02 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 545 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 545 has a 74.8% MOT pass rate based on 484 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 545?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 545 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 22 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 545 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 545 is 124,500 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 105,265 and 150,600 miles.
Buying a used 545?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 74.8% pass rate and an average repair bill of £136 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.