2016 BMW 5 Series (first used 2016) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 84.8% of BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 46,803 5 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 5 Series cars first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 5 Series figure was 9.9 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 5 Series | All cars first used 2016 | 5 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87.8% | 82.7% | 16,182 |
| 2022 | 87.1% | 80.9% | 16,026 |
| 2023 | 85.4% | 78.6% | 15,820 |
| 2024 | 85.3% | 76.7% | 15,641 |
| 2025 | 84.8% | 74.9% | 15,342 |
Common 2016 BMW 5 Series MOT failures
Share of the 6,937 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 15.7% | 1,090 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 13.3% | 922 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 11.5% | 801 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.8% | 678 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 8.2% | 569 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2016 BMW 5 Series before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2016 BMW 5 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 5 Series cars, as a share of all 46,803 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.6% | 7,770 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.0% | 3,756 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.8% | 2,736 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 2.7% | 1,247 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 2.3% | 1,097 |
Questions about the 2016 BMW 5 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 BMW 5 Series?
In 2025, 84.8% of 5 Series cars first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 5 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 43.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (21.7%) and suspension (14.3%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (15.7%).
How often does a 2016 BMW 5 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 15.2% of first tests on 5 Series cars first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 12.9% failed, and a further 2.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,937 of 46,803 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 BMW 5 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.0%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.8%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (2.7%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (2.3%).
Is a 2016 BMW 5 Series reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 87.8% in 2021 to 84.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 5 Series?
The numbers above cover every 5 Series first used in 2016 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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