2016 BMW M5 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,130 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW M5 are in this dataset, and 92.2% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2016 M5 comes out 4.8pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and lighting & signalling (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, side repeaters and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 32 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 M5 fails 6.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 73 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 46 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 37 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 26 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 19 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 11 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 32 |
| 3 | Wipers | 25 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 21 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 16 |
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 | 14.0% | 298 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 185 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 86 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 60 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 42 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 24 |
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 | 410 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,203 | 7.2% |
| 60-90k | 457 | 10.3% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 8.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 451 | 7.1% |
| 2022 | 438 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 411 | 5.6% |
| 2024 | 425 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 405 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 2016 M5
On a 2016 M5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.7% 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.
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 2016 BMW M5s pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 2,130 2016 BMW M5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW M5?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2016 M5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,130 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.