1998 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,829 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.4% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.6% in the 150k+ group versus 22.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 707 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 706 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 679 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.7% | 390 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 368 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.3% | 366 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 482 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 482 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 398 |
| 4 | Washers | 312 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 249 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 214 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.1% | 2,046 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 1,767 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 1,353 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 1,239 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.6% | 965 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 682 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 125 | 22.4% |
| 30-60k | 255 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 877 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,284 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,405 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,703 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,643 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 182 | 23.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,577 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 1,349 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 1,121 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 948 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 834 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 5 Series
Before buying a 1998 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (11.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Bmw 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 5,829 1998 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Bmw 5 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 1998 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,829 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.