2001 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,787 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 76.0% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.5% in the 150k+ group versus 20.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 1,457 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 1,384 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 1,213 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 739 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 499 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.6% | 427 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 898 |
| 2 | Washers | 601 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 528 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 459 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 454 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 421 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.7% | 3,975 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 3,612 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.7% | 3,145 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.6% | 2,788 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 1,898 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.8% | 1,747 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 149 | 20.8% |
| 30-60k | 465 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,273 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,567 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,843 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 4,330 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,146 | 23.5% |
| Diesel | 2,640 | 25.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,136 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 2,710 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 2,287 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 1,933 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 1,721 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 5 Series
Before buying a 2001 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Bmw 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 11,787 2001 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Bmw 5 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 2001 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,787 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.