2011 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 421 MOT tests, the 2011 BMW M5 recorded a 90.0% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (19.6% fail rate), the 2011 M5 comes out 9.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and suspension (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and catalyst emissions — coil spring alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 30-60k band and 14.6% in the 90-120k band, a 4.9-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 18 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 15 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 9 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 9 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 4 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.9% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 10 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 5 | Attachment | 5 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.3% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 50 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 24 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 21 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 9 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 5 |
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 | 93 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 212 | 8.0% |
| 90-120k | 96 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 90 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 79 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 75 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 84 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 M5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Suspension (3.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2011 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 421 2011 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW M5?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 2011 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 30-60k band to 14.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 421 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.