Used car guide

2006 BMW 5 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 5 Series first registered in 2006: we looked at the 2,295 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,295MOTs of 2006 cars, done in 2023–2025
65%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
9,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 BMW 5 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 BMW 5 Series than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    11% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Flexible brake hoses2× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    10.4% All 2006 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.5% here, against 10.6% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 3.3% here, against 9.2% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 BMW 5 Series MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 BMW 5 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% 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
    18% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 BMW 5 Series as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 BMW 5 Series as on other cars the same age.)
  3. 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
2023450Tyres 12%
20222,693Tyres 22%
20213,742Tyres 22%
202012,610Tyres 22%
201946,328Tyres 23%
201856,183Tyres 24%
201739,759Tyres 24%
2016137Tyres 19%
2015195Tyres 18%
2014598Tyres 24%
201317,643Tyres 30%
201217,757Tyres 30%
20113,218Tyres 31%
20101,982Tyres 30%
20092,128Suspension 33%
20082,430Suspension 37%
20072,675Suspension 43%
20051,153Suspension 46%
2004829Suspension 48%
2003630Suspension 39%
2002523Brakes 39%
2001362Suspension 43%
2000244Suspension 40%
1999195Suspension 46%
1998170Brakes 38%
1997100Brakes 38%
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 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score