At a Glance
The Bmw 5 Series E60 has 4 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Brake lever fault being the most reported. Tyres & Wheels is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 1.3M 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 E60 — 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 E60 MOT Pass Rate
Across 1.3M MOT tests from DVSA data, the Bmw 5 Series E60 (2003–2010) has a fail rate of 29.0%.
UK average fail rate (2006–2010): 38.6%
Common Bmw 5 Series E60 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Brake lever fault
1,363
occurrences
Steering lock fault
132
occurrences
Headlamp washer not working
98
occurrences
Brake air or vacuum system fault
72
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 5 Series E60 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 5 Series E60 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 E60, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
842 distinct problems · 2,012,891 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 E60 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Bmw 5 Series E60 (2003–2010), we have identified 4 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Brake lever fault". Tyres & Wheels is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Bmw 5 Series E60?
This generation has 1.3M MOT tests on record with a 29.0% 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 E60?
There are 201 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the E60 (2003–2010), 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 E60?
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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