2000 Bmw 5 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,386 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Bmw 5 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.5% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.0% in the 150k+ group versus 22.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 1,118 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,056 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 996 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 551 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.6% | 385 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 363 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 657 |
| 2 | Washers | 449 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 411 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 339 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 334 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 319 |
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 | 35.3% | 2,964 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.0% | 2,597 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.4% | 2,134 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.3% | 2,037 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.2% | 1,271 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 1,144 |
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 | 83 | 22.9% |
| 30-60k | 336 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 989 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,916 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 2,008 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 2,902 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,874 | 25.7% |
| Diesel | 1,512 | 24.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,356 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 1,927 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 1,597 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 1,364 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 1,142 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 5 Series
Before buying a 2000 Bmw 5 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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.
- Brakes (11.9% 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.
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 2000 Bmw 5 Seriess pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 8,386 2000 Bmw 5 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Bmw 5 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2000 5 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,386 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.