2014 · 10 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2014 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

15,901 MOT tests in 2024. 81.9% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time81.9%
Failed or needed repairs18.1%
Typical mileage at test105,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 15,901 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    603 marked dangerous
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    415 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.2%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
    229 marked dangerous
  7. Position lamp: not working0.9%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.8%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    119 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.6%
  2. Suspension4.5%
  3. Lights & electrics4.1%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  5. Brakes2.8%
  6. Wheels1.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.0%
  8. Steering1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.4%
  4. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm2.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.8%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2014 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 81.9% of 2014 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 15,901 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2014 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).