2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

16,705 MOT tests in 2024. 84.1% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time84.1%
Failed or needed repairs15.9%
Typical mileage at test93,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 16,705 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    625 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    411 marked dangerous
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.2%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
    254 marked dangerous
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
    144 marked dangerous
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.5%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  3. Suspension3.2%
  4. Brakes2.7%
  5. Lights & electrics2.5%
  6. Wheels1.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks0.9%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.3%
  4. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.6%
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn2.5%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2015 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 84.1% of 2015 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 16,705 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2015 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).