2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

8,285 MOT tests in 2024. 72.9% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

122Well above average
Passed first time72.9%
Failed or needed repairs27.1%
Typical mileage at test130,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 8,285 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    369 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    245 marked dangerous
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.5%
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.3%
  8. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
    130 marked dangerous
  10. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension12.6%
  2. Lights & electrics12.5%
  3. Tyres8.0%
  4. Brakes4.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  7. Steering1.6%
  8. Wheels1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.4%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.2%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.8%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 72.9% of 2010 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 8,285 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 122, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).