Used car guide

2001 BMW 5 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 5 Series first registered in 2001: we looked at the 360 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 360 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

360MOTs of 2001 cars, done in 2023–2025
68%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
6,000typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 BMW 5 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 BMW 5 Series than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.1× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    8.3% All 2001 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.9% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2001 BMW 5 Series MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 BMW 5 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    32% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    29% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    12% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 BMW 5 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2001 BMW 5 Series as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 5 Series?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 5 Series compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023449Tyres 12%
20222,690Tyres 22%
20213,736Tyres 22%
202012,610Tyres 22%
201946,328Tyres 23%
201856,183Tyres 24%
201739,758Tyres 24%
2016120Tyres 18%
2015188Tyres 19%
2014591Tyres 24%
201317,632Tyres 30%
201217,731Tyres 30%
20113,218Tyres 31%
20101,982Tyres 30%
20092,128Suspension 33%
20082,430Suspension 37%
20072,675Suspension 43%
20062,292Suspension 43%
20051,153Suspension 46%
2004829Suspension 48%
2003630Suspension 39%
2002523Brakes 39%
2000232Suspension 41%
1999174Brakes 44%
1998167Brakes 38%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 5 Series cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score