2012 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,680 MOT tests, the 2012 BMW M5 recorded an 89.7% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 18.2% of the time, so this is 7.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and suspension (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, coil spring and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 88 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 11.6% versus 6.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.1% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 61 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.3% | 56 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 54 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 24 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.2% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 88 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 50 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 15 |
| 5 | Attachment | 15 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 14 |
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 | 15.7% | 263 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 221 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 64 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.7% | 62 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 38 |
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 | 77 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 551 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 743 | 9.3% |
| 90-120k | 276 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 396 | 12.1% |
| 2022 | 353 | 11.3% |
| 2023 | 344 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 302 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 285 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 M5
On a 2012 M5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.6% 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 (3.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (3.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2012 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 1,680 2012 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 BMW M5?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.3%).
Does the 2012 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,680 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.