2015 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,076 MOT tests on the 2015 BMW M5 are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (14.0% fail rate), the 2015 M5 comes out 4.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests against 1.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, registration plates and tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 27 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 14.6% versus 9.7%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 106 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.5% | 30 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 25 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.1% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 20 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.8% | 16 |
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 | 27 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 26 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 4 | Washers | 20 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 20 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
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 | 15.5% | 321 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 211 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.8% | 99 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 61 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 47 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.3% | 26 |
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 | 185 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,141 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 625 | 9.6% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 14.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 443 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 435 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 414 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 402 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 382 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2015 M5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.1% 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.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% 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 2015 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 2,076 2015 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW M5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (1.5%).
Does the 2015 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,076 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.