MOT fail rates by first-use year
2000 BMW 5 Series MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2000 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 4,061 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 24 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 24 years old, BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2000 failed 35.1% of MOTs (1,137 tests), 2.7 points below the 37.8% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 22 to 24 years old, the fail rate moved from 37.9% to 35.1%.
- BMW 5 Series cars first used a year earlier, in 1999, failed 36.6% at the same age of 24 years (1,140 tests, in 2023).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW 5 Series at 24 years, is handbrake too weak, at 4.5 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.3).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 22 years | 37.9% | 1,589 | 41.0% | −3.0 pts |
| 2023 | 23 years | 36.3% | 1,335 | 39.6% | −3.4 pts |
| 2024 | 24 years | 35.1% | 1,137 | 37.8% | −2.7 pts |
Most common faults at 24 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 24 years: cars first used 1998 to 2001, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,837). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Handbrake too weak | 4.5 | 2.3 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 3.7 | 1.8 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 3.4 | 1.9 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 3.4 | 1.1 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| Washers: not working Wear | 2.7 | 1.3 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 2.6 | 3.8 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | 2.6 | 1.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 2.5 | 2.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,837). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 22.8 | 15.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 17.9 | 14.7 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 14.6 | 11.2 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 8.6 | 9.8 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 7.6 | 5.4 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 6.1 | 1.6 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | 5.0 | 2.6 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear | 4.9 | 4.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=4,837). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 24 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 24 years: cars first used 1998 to 2001, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,837). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 86.2% | 35.9% | 4,156 | 37.0% | 127,740 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 24 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 24 years: cars first used 1998 to 2001, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=4,837). At 24 years, BMW 5 Series cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (39.9%, n=1,621) than those at 90,000 to 120,000 miles (34.2%, n=1,038). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 34.2% | 1,038 | 39.9% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 36.2% | 1,159 | 41.7% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 39.9% | 1,621 | 43.7% |
Car tax rules for a 2000 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered before 2001 usually do not meet Euro 4, so they usually pay the ULEZ daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2000 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- Hybrids follow the Euro standard of their petrol or diesel engine.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the BMW 5 Series
Other BMW models first used in 2000
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series (2000) | 25 years in 2025 | 33.2% | 2,437 | 36.3% |
| BMW Z3 (2000) | 25 years in 2025 | 29.5% | 1,859 | 36.3% |
More on the BMW 5 Series
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2000 BMW 5 Series cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.