MOT Results

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BMW 5-Series MOT Results

68.2% pass rate
from 996 tests in 2020
(14% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
Number of tests by age
More MoT Results
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 5-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 14% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.5% fail on Stop lamp (81% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 3.6% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.10% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 3.4% fail on Headlamps
      • 3.3% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.20% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.8% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 2.8% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 2.6% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.30% fail on Switch
    • 2.1% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 1.3% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.60% fail on Horn
      • 0.30% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 1.9% fail on Direction indicators
      • 1.9% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.2% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.50% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.30% fail on All direction indicators
    • 1.3% fail on Position lamps
      • 1.3% fail on Position lamp
    • 0.50% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.30% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.20% fail on Main beam tell-tale
      • 0.10% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
    • 0.10% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.10% fail on Switch
  • 13% fail on Suspension (54% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.1% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 3.9% fail on Suspension arms (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Ball joint dust cover (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.80% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.10% fail on Suspension arm
      • 0.10% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.0% fail on Anti-roll bars (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover (20 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.80% fail on Ball joint dust cover (23 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.30% fail on Linkage (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.20% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.10% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.10% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 1.6% fail on Shock absorbers (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.4% fail on Sub-frames (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.80% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.70% fail on Pins and bushes (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Springs
      • 1.2% fail on Coil springs (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.0% fail on Coil spring (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.20% fail on Mounting
      • 0.10% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.90% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.40% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.30% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.20% fail on Other suspension component
    • 0.30% fail on Axles
      • 0.20% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
      • 0.10% fail on Axle
    • 0.30% fail on Wheel bearings (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.30% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.20% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.10% fail on Macpherson strut
    • 0.20% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.20% fail on Ball joint dust cover (12 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 9.3% fail on Brakes
    • 5.4% fail on Brake performance
      • 2.2% fail on Service brake performance
        • 2.2% fail on Rbt
          • 1.9% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.30% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.9% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 1.9% fail on Rbt (sp)
      • 1.5% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.4% fail on Rbt (sp) (51% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.2% fail on Service brake imbalance
          • 0.80% fail on Service brake performance
        • 0.10% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 1.3% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.3% fail on Rbt
          • 0.90% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.30% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.10% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 0.30% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.1% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 1.0% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.70% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.70% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.30% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.30% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.70% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.60% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.60% fail on Lever
    • 0.60% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.50% fail on Brake fluid (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.10% fail on Valves
    • 0.50% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.50% fail on Anti-lock braking system (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.20% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.20% fail on Pedal
    • 0.20% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.10% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
      • 0.10% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
  • 7.7% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 2.8% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.6% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.6% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 1.1% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.80% fail on Pipe
      • 0.10% fail on Tank
      • 0.10% fail on Hose
      • 0.10% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
    • 0.90% fail on Chassis
      • 0.90% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.90% fail on Transmission
      • 0.90% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.90% fail on Joints
    • 0.90% fail on Doors
      • 0.40% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.40% fail on Door condition
      • 0.30% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.30% fail on Door condition
      • 0.20% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.10% fail on Door condition
        • 0.10% fail on Catch
    • 0.30% fail on Body
      • 0.10% fail on Body condition
      • 0.10% fail on Panel
      • 0.10% fail on Other body component
    • 0.30% fail on Floor
    • 0.10% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.10% fail on Seats
      • 0.10% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.10% fail on Cabs
      • 0.10% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 6.8% fail on Visibility
    • 4.7% fail on Washers
    • 2.9% fail on Wipers
    • 0.20% fail on Driver's view
    • 0.10% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.10% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.10% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.10% fail on View to rear
      • 0.10% fail on Mirrors
  • 3.5% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 3.0% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 3.0% fail on Spark ignition
        • 1.9% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 0.70% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.60% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.20% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (12 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.50% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.30% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.10% fail on Transmission oil leaks
      • 0.10% fail on Other leaks
  • 3.3% fail on Steering
    • 3.1% fail on Steering linkage components (60% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Drag link end (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.0% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.60% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.30% fail on Intermediate drop arm
      • 0.10% fail on Steering arm
      • 0.10% fail on Other components
        • 0.10% fail on Steering linkage
    • 0.20% fail on Power steering
      • 0.10% fail on Pump
      • 0.10% fail on Other components
    • 0.20% fail on Steering play
      • 0.20% fail on Steering box
  • 2.5% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 2.5% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.3% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.90% fail on Condition
      • 0.20% fail on Attachment
      • 0.10% fail on Requirements
  • 2.4% fail on Tyres
    • 1.3% fail on Tread depth
    • 1.2% fail on Condition
    • 0.20% fail on Size/type
  • 0.60% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.60% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.50% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.40% fail on Attachment
    • 0.10% fail on Condition
  • 0.10% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.10% fail on Speedometer
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