2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

2,222 MOT tests in 2024. 66.2% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

114Well above average
Passed first time66.2%
Failed or needed repairs33.8%
Typical mileage at test139,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,222 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Headlamp aim: too low3.5%
  3. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    92 marked dangerous
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid2.2%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  8. Washers: not working2.0%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics19.6%
  2. Brakes18.3%
  3. Suspension16.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  5. Tyres5.7%
  6. Steering5.4%
  7. Body & chassis4.8%
  8. Emissions & leaks4.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine21.4%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.2%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.4%

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 2002 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 66.2% of 2002 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,222 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 BMW 5 Series?

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

Is the 2002 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 114, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).