2001 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,481 MOT tests on the 2001 BMW M5 are in this dataset, and 85.7% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.0% fail rate), the 2001 M5 comes out 9.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.3%) and suspension (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 89 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 M5 fails 15.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 16.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 24.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.0% in 2021 to 13.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 93 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.3% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 61 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 58 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 44 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.8% | 26 |
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 | 89 |
| 2 | Washers | 47 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 37 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 30 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
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 | 24.2% | 358 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 246 |
| 3 | Tyres | 13.0% | 192 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 168 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.7% | 129 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 89 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 113 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 240 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 398 | 12.8% |
| 120-150k | 397 | 14.6% |
| 150k+ | 314 | 16.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 342 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 310 | 15.5% |
| 2023 | 296 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 276 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 257 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 M5
On a 2001 M5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.3% 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 (4.1% 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.
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 2001 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 1,481 2001 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 BMW M5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.3%).
Does the 2001 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 30-60k band to 16.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,481 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.