2006 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 47,556 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 77.8% was above the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.1% in the 150k+ group versus 9.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.2% | 4,825 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 4,445 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 4,274 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 3,116 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.9% | 2,345 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 1,628 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 2,369 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,246 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2,076 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,074 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 1,639 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,611 |
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 | 34.6% | 16,454 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.1% | 13,837 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 12,983 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 8,086 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.4% | 5,881 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 5,645 |
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 | 93 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 574 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,510 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 7,226 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 11,663 | 22.2% |
| 150k+ | 25,465 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 40,726 | 22.5% |
| Petrol | 6,821 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,067 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 11,123 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 9,706 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 8,066 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 6,594 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 5 Series
Before buying a 2006 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 10.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.0% 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 2006 Bmw 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 47,556 2006 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Bmw 5 Series?
Suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.3%).
Does the 2006 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 47,556 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.