2007 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,349 MOT tests on the 2007 BMW M5 are in this dataset, and 89.7% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.2% fail rate), the 2007 M5 comes out 12.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.9%) and brakes (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, malfunction indicator lamp and catalyst emissions — tread depth alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 M5 fails 11.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 11.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 14.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.3% in 2021 to 7.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.9% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 33 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 31 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 31 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 30 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 23 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 22 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 15 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 15 |
| 6 | Anti-lock braking system | 10 |
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 | 14.2% | 192 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.9% | 188 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 152 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 46 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.8% | 38 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 37 |
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 | 200 | 11.0% |
| 60-90k | 608 | 8.2% |
| 90-120k | 382 | 12.8% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 10.8% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 301 | 15.3% |
| 2022 | 296 | 11.5% |
| 2023 | 262 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 251 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 239 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 M5
On a 2007 M5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.5% 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 (2.3% 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.
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 2007 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 1,349 2007 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 BMW M5?
Tyres, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by brakes (2.5%).
Does the 2007 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 30-60k band to 11.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,349 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.