2020 · 4 years old at test · Plug-in hybrid mostly

2020 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

8,762 MOT tests in 2024. 88.9% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time88.9%
Failed or needed repairs11.1%
Typical mileage at test38,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,762 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 cords2.7%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    224 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.2%
    149 marked dangerous
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
    148 marked dangerous
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
  6. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.7%
    77 marked dangerous
  7. Headlamp aim: too high0.3%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
    44 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.3%
    30 marked dangerous
  10. Side repeaters: not working0.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.9%
  2. Emissions & leaks1.1%
  3. Lights & electrics1.0%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.9%
  5. Brakes0.8%
  6. Wheels0.8%
  7. Body & chassis0.4%
  8. Suspension0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.3%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.4%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
  5. Flexible couplings: excessively deteriorated2.1%

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 2020 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 88.9% of 2020 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,762 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 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; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2020 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).