BMW M5
From 9,416 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer M5s fare better: 2019 models pass at 94.3% vs 90.4% for 2005.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a tyre seriously damaged and emissions levels exceed default limits. The top issue, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, caused 79 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 spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 79 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 74 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 67 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 59 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 56 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 56 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 52 |
| emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 44 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 44 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 41 |
BMW M5 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 100 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 28 newly registered, a net loss of 72.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 6,166 | 2,376 | +8 | -32 | -24 |
| 2025 Q2 | 6,252 | 2,314 | +8 | -10 | -2 |
| 2025 Q1 | 6,051 | 2,517 | +7 | -11 | -4 |
| 2024 Q4 | 6,054 | 2,518 | +5 | -47 | -42 |
| 2024 Q3 | 6,336 | 2,278 | +4 | -26 | -22 |
| 2024 Q2 | 6,430 | 2,206 | +7 | -0 | +54 |
| 2024 Q1 | 6,290 | 2,292 | +6 | -141 | -135 |
| 2023 Q4 | 6,345 | 2,372 | +10 | -43 | -33 |
7 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 Auto | Petrol | 2,326 | 39% |
| M5 Competition Auto | Petrol | 1,948 | 32% |
| M5 | Gas | 1,241 | 21% |
| M550I Xdrive Auto | Petrol | 292 | 5% |
| M5 Competition Package Auto | Petrol | 88 | 1% |
| M5 Touring | Petrol | 83 | 1% |
| M535I | Gas | 52 | <1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 94.3% | emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 2016 | 94.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2015 | 93.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 90.6% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
11 earlier years
| 2013 | 91.3% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 2012 | 94.1% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn |
| 2011 | 90.3% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured |
| 2008 | 93.8% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2007 | 94% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2006 | 88.6% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2005 | 90.4% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2002 | 90.9% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2001 | 88.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2000 | 80.8% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1999 | 84.6% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
Typical mileage
Half of all M5s tested had between 57,330 and 109,411 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 86,413 median miles, the M5 has 0.01 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 M5 MOT pass rate?
The BMW M5 has a 91.7% MOT pass rate based on 9,416 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW M5?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW M5 is a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, which caused 79 failures. Other common issues include a tyre seriously damaged.
How many BMW M5s are on UK roads?
There are 6,166 BMW M5s currently licensed on UK roads, with 2,376 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW M5 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW M5 is 86,413 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 57,330 and 109,411 miles.
Buying a used M5?
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.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.