MOT fail rates by first-use year
2003 BMW 5 Series MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2003 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 11,005 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 22 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 22 years old, BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2003 failed 33.5% of MOTs (2,140 tests), 7.5 points below the 41.0% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 19 to 22 years old, the fail rate moved from 35.4% to 33.5%.
- BMW 5 Series cars first used a year earlier, in 2002, failed 33.5% at the same age of 22 years (2,301 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW 5 Series at 22 years, is handbrake too weak, at 4.4 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.5).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19 years | 35.4% | 3,470 | 43.2% | −7.8 pts |
| 2023 | 20 years | 34.7% | 2,920 | 42.8% | −8.0 pts |
| 2024 | 21 years | 36.1% | 2,475 | 42.1% | −5.9 pts |
| 2025 | 22 years | 33.5% | 2,140 | 41.0% | −7.5 pts |
Most common faults at 22 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=7,949). 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 | 4.4 | 2.5 |
| Headlamp aim: too low Wear | 3.6 | 1.8 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 3.1 | 2.1 |
| Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.9 | 0.9 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 2.8 | 2.0 |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | 2.6 | 2.4 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 2.6 | 1.3 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 2.4 | 2.2 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 2.4 | 1.7 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 2.2 | 1.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=7,949). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 23.1 | 15.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 18.1 | 15.9 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 15.0 | 13.7 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.8 | 10.1 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 8.0 | 6.7 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 7.4 | 10.4 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 5.5 | 2.0 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 4.8 | 6.8 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | 4.5 | 2.3 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=7,949). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 22 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=7,949). 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 | 69.6% | 34.2% | 5,515 | 40.6% | 122,992 miles |
| Diesel | 30.4% | 34.7% | 2,414 | 42.1% | 162,468 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 22 years
These figures cover all BMW 5 Series MOTs at 22 years: cars first used 2000 to 2003, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=7,949). At 22 years, BMW 5 Series cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (36.7%, n=2,920) than those at 90,000 to 120,000 miles (35.2%, n=1,655). 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 | 35.2% | 1,655 | 43.4% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 36.0% | 1,852 | 45.0% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 36.7% | 2,920 | 46.0% |
Car tax rules for a 2003 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Many petrol cars first registered from 2001 to 2005 already meet Euro 4, but not all of them. For a 2003 petrol car the Euro standard of that car decides.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2003 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 2003
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 32.4% | 9,131 | 41.0% |
| BMW Z4 (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 30.8% | 2,375 | 41.0% |
| BMW X5 (2003) | 22 years in 2025 | 36.6% | 1,444 | 41.0% |
More on the BMW 5 Series
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2003 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.