2018 BMW 5 Series (first used 2018) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 86.5% of BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 57,632 5 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 5 Series cars first used in 2018 (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 2018 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 5 Series cars first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 5 Series figure was 5.6 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 5 Series | All cars first used 2018 | 5 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.8% | 87.6% | 21,366 |
| 2022 | 88.2% | 86.3% | 20,384 |
| 2023 | 88.0% | 84.2% | 19,597 |
| 2024 | 87.1% | 82.5% | 19,270 |
| 2025 | 86.5% | 80.9% | 18,765 |
Common 2018 BMW 5 Series MOT failures
Share of the 7,359 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 15.8% | 1,160 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.9% | 950 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 12.6% | 930 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 9.8% | 719 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 9.1% | 672 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 5 Series in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 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.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- 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 2018 BMW 5 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 5 Series cars, as a share of all 57,632 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.1% | 7,547 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 6.9% | 3,960 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 4.2% | 2,418 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 3.1% | 1,779 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 2.3% | 1,340 |
Questions about the 2018 BMW 5 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 BMW 5 Series?
In 2025, 86.5% of 5 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 5 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 54.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (11.5%) and suspension (10.5%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (15.8%).
How often does a 2018 BMW 5 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 13.5% of first tests on 5 Series cars first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 11.8% failed, and a further 1.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 7,359 of 57,632 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 BMW 5 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (6.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (3.1%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (2.3%).
Is a 2018 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 86.8% in 2021 to 86.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 5 Series?
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