1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

375 MOT tests in 2024. 70.1% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time70.1%
Failed or needed repairs29.9%
Typical mileage at test122,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 375 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.8%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.2%
  3. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: too low2.7%
  5. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced2.7%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value2.4%
    18 marked dangerous
  7. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.4%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.1%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes16.5%
  2. Emissions & leaks12.8%
  3. Lights & electrics12.8%
  4. Suspension12.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.7%
  6. Body & chassis5.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags5.1%
  8. Tyres4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.7%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 70.1% of 1997 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 375 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1997 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).