2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

6,478 MOT tests in 2024. 67.2% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

120Well above average
Passed first time67.2%
Failed or needed repairs32.9%
Typical mileage at test158,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,478 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    381 marked dangerous
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
    221 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.4%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  9. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated2.2%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension16.0%
  2. Brakes15.3%
  3. Lights & electrics15.0%
  4. Tyres9.3%
  5. Steering6.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  7. Seat belts & airbags3.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.3%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.0%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%

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: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. 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 2006 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 67.2% of 2006 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,478 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 120, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).