BMW 5-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1997
61.4% pass rate
from 700 tests in 2021
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 1997 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 5-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 16% fail on Suspension (26% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 6.9% fail on Suspension arms (99% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 3.0% fail on Ball joint (110% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.9% fail on Pins and bushes (130% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Ball joint dust cover (140% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.29% fail on Suspension arm
    • 6.6% fail on Anti-roll bars (190% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover (7 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Ball joint dust cover (13 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.0% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.29% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.14% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage
      • 0.14% fail on Ball joint
    • 2.7% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 2.4% fail on Springs
      • 2.4% fail on Coil springs
        • 2.4% fail on Coil spring
    • 0.71% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.71% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.57% fail on Suspension rods (4 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Ball joint dust cover (22 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.43% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.29% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.14% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.29% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.29% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.14% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.14% fail on Axles
      • 0.14% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
    • 0.14% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.14% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
  • 14% fail on Brakes
    • 11% fail on Brake performance (46% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 10% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
        • 10% fail on Rbt (sp) (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Parking brake performance (170% worse than other 1997 cars)
        • 3.1% fail on Rbt (180% worse than other 1997 cars)
          • 2.6% fail on Parking brake performance (160% worse than other 1997 cars)
          • 0.43% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.14% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 0.57% fail on Service brake performance (77% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Rbt (76% better than other 1997 cars)
          • 0.57% fail on Service brake performance (71% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.29% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (90% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.29% fail on Rbt (sp) (90% better than other 1997 cars)
          • 0.14% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.14% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 0.14% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.9% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 2.9% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (150% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.7% fail on Anti-lock braking system (150% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Electronic stability control
      • 0.14% fail on Electronic braking system
    • 1.0% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.57% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.57% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.43% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.43% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.43% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.29% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.29% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.14% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.14% fail on Servos
    • 0.14% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.14% fail on Lever
    • 0.14% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.14% fail on Servos
      • 0.14% fail on Master cylinder
  • 12% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.6% fail on Headlamps (63% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 4.1% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.43% fail on Headlamp levelling device
    • 3.7% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 3.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.29% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.7% fail on Stop lamp
    • 1.6% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.86% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 0.86% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.86% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 0.71% fail on Direction indicators (70% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.71% fail on Flashing type (70% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.14% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.14% fail on Side repeaters
    • 0.43% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.29% fail on Electrical wiring
      • 0.14% fail on Horn
    • 0.29% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.29% fail on Main beam tell-tale
      • 0.29% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
  • 10% fail on Visibility (47% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 9.0% fail on Washers (190% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 2.3% fail on Wipers
    • 0.43% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.14% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.14% fail on Windscreen
  • 7.4% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 6.7% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 6.7% fail on Spark ignition
        • 5.1% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 1.3% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.29% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.14% fail on Catalytic converter
          • 0.14% fail on NOx sensor
        • 0.14% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 0.14% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
    • 1.0% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.86% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.14% fail on Other leaks
  • 6.3% fail on Body, chassis, structure (35% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 2.6% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 1.6% fail on Fuel system (160% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.86% fail on Pipe (4 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.71% fail on Tank (3 times worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Chassis
      • 1.3% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.86% fail on Doors
      • 0.57% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.57% fail on Door condition
      • 0.29% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.29% fail on Door condition
      • 0.14% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.14% fail on Door condition
    • 0.57% fail on Transmission (78% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.57% fail on Drive shafts (76% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Joints (75% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.43% fail on Exhaust system (86% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.29% fail on Body
      • 0.29% fail on Panel
    • 0.29% fail on Boot lid (6 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.29% fail on Boot lid condition (7 times worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Floor
  • 6.3% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (66% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 2.7% fail on Seat belts
      • 2.1% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.57% fail on Condition
    • 0.14% fail on Airbags
      • 0.14% fail on Drivers airbag
  • 5.4% fail on Tyres (57% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 2.7% fail on Tread depth
    • 2.6% fail on Condition
    • 0.14% fail on Size/type
  • 4.7% fail on Steering
    • 2.9% fail on Steering gear (150% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.9% fail on Steering rack (170% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Steering linkage components
      • 0.86% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.43% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.29% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.14% fail on Locking devices
    • 0.43% fail on Power steering
      • 0.29% fail on Other components
      • 0.14% fail on Rams
    • 0.14% fail on Steering play
      • 0.14% fail on Steering rack
  • 0.57% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.57% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.57% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.57% fail on Attachment

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