2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

4,564 MOT tests in 2024. 67.0% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time67.0%
Failed or needed repairs33.0%
Typical mileage at test157,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,564 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault4.9%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    244 marked dangerous
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.6%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.2%
    145 marked dangerous
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.6%
  2. Lights & electrics16.7%
  3. Brakes15.1%
  4. Tyres8.6%
  5. Seat belts & airbags6.8%
  6. Steering5.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  8. Emissions & leaks4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.5%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.7%

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: srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. 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 2005 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 67.0% of 2005 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,564 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2005 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).