2002 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
957 MOT tests on the 2002 BMW M5 are in this dataset, and 84.6% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), the 2002 M5 comes out 8.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.0%) and suspension (5.8%) 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 38 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 M5 fails 15.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 18.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.3% in 2021 to 14.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 57 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.8% | 55 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 51 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 22 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 17 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Washers | 37 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 28 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
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 | 22.9% | 219 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 136 |
| 3 | Other defects | 13.8% | 132 |
| 4 | Tyres | 12.8% | 123 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 88 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 53 |
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 | 52 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 174 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 272 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 247 | 13.0% |
| 150k+ | 162 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 208 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 196 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 196 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 172 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 185 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2002 M5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.8% 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 (5.3% 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 2002 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 957 2002 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 BMW M5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.8%).
Does the 2002 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 30-60k band to 18.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 957 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.