BMW M5 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used BMW M5, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 10,994 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 1980 BMW M5
Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the BMW M5 as a whole.
What to check on a 1980 car
- Rust and structure
Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.
- MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy
Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.
- Paperwork
Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.
- Originality
Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.
- Insurance
Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
2026202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520032002200120001999199519941993199219911990198819871986198519811980
What usually goes wrong with a BMW M5?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the BMW M5 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common BMW M5 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Corroded fuel pipes
up to 10× usualStands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
BMW M5 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 BMW M5 did best (90% passed first time, 33 points above all 2007 cars) and the 2016 did worst (90%, 13 points above all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 88% | 85% +3 | 154 (small sample) |
| 2016 | 90% | 77% +13 | 1,154 |
| 2015 | 89% | 74% +15 | 1,095 |
| 2014 | 88% | 70% +18 | 1,319 |
| 2013 | 86% | 67% +19 | 1,456 |
| 2012 | 88% | 64% +24 | 871 |
| 2011 | 87% | 62% +25 | 220 (small sample) |
| 2008 | 91% | 57% +34 | 269 (small sample) |
| 2007 | 90% | 57% +33 | 695 |
| 2006 | 85% | 56% +29 | 747 |
| 2005 | 87% | 57% +30 | 696 |
| 2003 | 88% | 57% +31 | 106 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 84% | 58% +26 | 501 |
| 2001 | 84% | 60% +24 | 751 |
| 2000 | 82% | 61% +21 | 675 |
| 1999 | 77% | 63% +14 | 285 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 10× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score