At a Glance
No model-specific problems have been flagged for the Bmw 5 Series E12 — nothing on this generation occurs significantly more often than the UK average. The data still shows 89 common MOT failure types below. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 690 MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Bmw 5 Series E12 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Bmw 5 Series E12 MOT Pass Rate
Across 690 MOT tests from DVSA data, the Bmw 5 Series E12 (1972–1981) has a fail rate of 36.2%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 5 Series E12 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 5 Series E12 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Bmw 5 Series E12, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
229 distinct problems · 1,599 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Bmw 5 Series Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Bmw 5 Series E12 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Bmw 5 Series E12 (1972–1981), we have identified 0 common problems. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Bmw 5 Series E12?
This generation has 690 MOT tests on record with a 36.2% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Bmw 5 Series E12?
There are 89 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the E12 (1972–1981), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Bmw 5 Series E12?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Bmw 5 Series owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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