2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

7,069 MOT tests in 2024. 71.8% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time71.8%
Failed or needed repairs28.2%
Typical mileage at test141,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,069 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    347 marked dangerous
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.7%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4%
    247 marked dangerous
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.3%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
  10. Anti-roll bars - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension12.2%
  2. Lights & electrics12.1%
  3. Tyres9.4%
  4. Brakes6.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.5%
  6. Steering3.5%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.0%
  8. Body & chassis1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.4%

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: linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 2009 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 71.8% of 2009 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,069 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).