What are the most common problems with a 2001 BMW M5?

The biggest MOT weak spot is corroded fuel pipes: flagged on 5.1% of tests, 5.7× the rate for all 2001 cars, followed by transmission oil leaks (4.7%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2001 BMW M5?

Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2001 BMW M5 as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2001 BMW M5 as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2001 BMW M5: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW M5 first registered in 2001: we looked at the 751 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

751MOTs of 2001 cars, done in 2023–2025

84%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)

5,000typical miles a year

5.7×the usual rate for corroded fuel pipes

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 BMW M5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 BMW M5 than on all cars registered in 2001.

Corroded fuel pipes5.7× usual

BMW M5
5.1% All 2001 cars
0.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Transmission oil leaks2.5× usual

BMW M5
4.7% All 2001 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.3% here, against 16% of all 2001 cars. Tyre condition: 4.7% here, against 14.1% of all 2001 cars.

Common 2001 BMW M5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 BMW M5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Brakes

22% 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.
Suspension

18% 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.
Tyres

13% 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

13% 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

10% 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.
Rust and bodywork

10% 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 M5

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

Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the 2001 BMW M5 as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2001 BMW M5 as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW M5?

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 M5 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	–	Too new for MOT data
2022	–	Too few tests
2021	–	Too few tests
2020	–	Too few tests
2019	154	Tyres 20%
2018	–	Too few tests
2017	–	Too few tests
2016	1,154	Tyres 17%
2015	1,095	Tyres 20%
2014	1,319	Tyres 17%
2013	1,456	Tyres 21%
2012	871	Tyres 17%
2011	220	Tyres 22%
2010	–	Too few tests
2009	–	Too few tests
2008	269	Tyres 16%
2007	695	Tyres 15%
2006	747	Brakes 20%
2005	696	Brakes 21%
2003	106	Brakes 20%
2002	501	Brakes 23%
2000	675	Brakes 24%
1999	285	Brakes 24%
1995	–	Too few tests
1994	–	Too few tests
1993	–	Too few tests
1992	–	Too few tests
1991	–	Too few tests
1990	–	Too few tests
1988	–	Too few tests
1987	–	Too few tests
1986	–	Too few tests
1985	–	Too few tests
1981	–	Too few tests
1980	–	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 M5 cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score