BMW 550
From 477 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, caused 16 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 joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 16 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 12 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 11 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 5 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 5 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 4 |
| a steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 4 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 3 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 2 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 51.6% of 550 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 3.1% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £122.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 85.6% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all 550s tested had between 58,794 and 102,310 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 62,733 median miles, the 550 has 0.017 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 550 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 550 has a 89.3% MOT pass rate based on 477 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 550?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 550 is a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, which caused 16 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 550 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 550 is 62,733 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 58,794 and 102,310 miles.
Buying a used 550?
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.
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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.