2005 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 35,030 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.6% was above the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.0% in the 150k+ group versus 14.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 3,836 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 3,784 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 3,240 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 2,220 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.3% | 1,839 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.8% | 1,322 |
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 | 2,178 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,759 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 1,643 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,574 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,539 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,455 |
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 | 35.0% | 12,258 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.8% | 11,147 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 9,702 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.4% | 6,096 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 5,884 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.2% | 4,264 |
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 | 96 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 422 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,873 | 19.1% |
| 90-120k | 5,320 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 8,578 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 18,717 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,868 | 22.7% |
| Petrol | 7,162 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,424 | 22.9% |
| 2022 | 8,386 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 7,043 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 5,669 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 4,508 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 5 Series
Before buying a 2005 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 (9.3% 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 2005 Bmw 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 35,030 2005 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Bmw 5 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2005 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,030 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.