2017 · 7 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2017 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

14,931 MOT tests in 2024. 85.4% passed first time, compared with 79.8% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time85.4%
Failed or needed repairs14.6%
Typical mileage at test69,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 14,931 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.0%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
    372 marked dangerous
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    347 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.3%
    266 marked dangerous
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
  8. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.6%
    135 marked dangerous
  9. Side repeaters: not working0.6%
  10. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres8.2%
  2. Suspension2.3%
  3. Lights & electrics1.9%
  4. Body & chassis1.7%
  5. Brakes1.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.3%
  8. Wheels1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.6%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.8%

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: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. 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 2017 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 85.4% of 2017 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 14,931 tests. The average for all 7-year-old cars was 79.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2017 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2017 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).