MOT failure data · 2025

BMW 5 Series MOT problems

Across every BMW 5 Series that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, on 8.73% of failure items. The broadest problem area was tyres at 32.91%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common BMW 5 Series MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	8.73%
2	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	7.93%
3	Condition has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	7.72%
4	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	7.72%
5	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	5.02%
6	Condition has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	3.39%
7	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	3.23%
8	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	3.1%
9	Condition fractured	Road Wheels	2.98%
10	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	2.97%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a BMW 5 Series, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used BMW 5 Series buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific BMW 5 Series?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other BMW models

BMW 5 Series MOT FAQs

What does a BMW 5 Series most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on BMW 5 Series cars failing their 2025 MOT was "tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", appearing on 8.73% of failure items.

Does this mean my BMW 5 Series will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every BMW 5 Series that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The BMW 5 Series passed 85.67% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific BMW 5 Series's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.