Bmw 5 Series: lighting & signalling MOT failures
Lighting & signalling was a recorded failure area in 5.3% of Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset. It is most prominent on 1999, 2000 cars.
Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair cost: £10–£150 (rough UK ballpark, not a quote).
Lighting & signalling failures by year
| Model year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,901 | 11.1% |
| 1997 | 2,986 | 11.0% |
| 1998 | 5,829 | 12.1% |
| 1999 | 7,222 | 12.4% |
| 2000 | 8,386 | 13.3% |
| 2001 | 11,787 | 12.4% |
| 2002 | 16,716 | 12.3% |
| 2003 | 18,237 | 11.4% |
| 2004 | 23,272 | 11.3% |
| 2005 | 35,030 | 10.9% |
| 2006 | 47,556 | 9.3% |
Methodology & source. 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.