2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

1,572 MOT tests in 2024. 67.0% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

113Well above average
Passed first time67.0%
Failed or needed repairs33.0%
Typical mileage at test134,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,572 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: too low3.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  3. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.4%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.2%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.0%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.0%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics21.4%
  2. Suspension17.5%
  3. Brakes15.9%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.9%
  6. Tyres5.3%
  7. Steering5.2%
  8. Body & chassis4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine26.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.3%

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: headlamp aim: too low. 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 2001 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 67.0% of 2001 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,572 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: too low; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2001 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 113, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).