MOT performance
BMW 5 Series G30 (2017–2023): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 117,844 MOT tests on the BMW 5 Series G30 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered May 2017–Jul 2023, on average 4.3 years old at test), 87.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the G30 failed 25% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the F10, it fails 18% more often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.75× vs 0.63×).
117,844 MOT tests on 58,508 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.5% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 117,844 |
| All BMW 5 Seriess | 78.8% | n = 428,945 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.75× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; BMW 5 Series overall 0.68× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.0% | n = 117,844 |
| Average age at test | 4.3 years | n = 117,844 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2017–2023 | Mar 2017 to Sept 2023 |
G30 against the other BMW 5 Series generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F10 (2010–2017) | 190,545 | 9.6 yrs | 79.0% | -37% | 7.5% |
| G30 (2017–2023) | 117,844 | 4.3 yrs | 87.5% | -25% | 6.0% |
Where the G30 differs
- Body, chassis and structure: the G30 failed 267% more often than the BMW 5 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (0.84× vs 0.23×).
- Noise, emissions and leaks: the G30 failed 97% more often than the BMW 5 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (0.91× vs 0.46×).
- Steering: the G30 failed 84% less often than the BMW 5 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (0.10× vs 0.59×).
- Road wheels: the G30 failed 58% more often than the BMW 5 Series overall, relative to comparable cars (3.59× vs 2.28×).
| Area | F10 (vs similar) | G30 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.9% (-11%) | 7.3% (+25%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.9% (-55%) | 1.5% (-66%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.1% (-68%) | 1.1% (-9%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.4% (-27%) | 1.0% (-71%) |
| Road wheels | 1.2% (+125%) | 1.0% (+259%) |
| Brakes | 2.7% (-67%) | 0.9% (-71%) |
| Suspension | 5.9% (-49%) | 0.8% (-59%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.4% (-90%) | 0.5% (-16%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% (-16%) | 0.3% (+22%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% (-55%) | 0.2% (-56%) |
Most common BMW 5 Series G30 failure items
2 of these 5 items are not among the BMW 5 Series's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.36% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 1.79% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.45% |
| Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 1.42% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 0.69% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | F10 pass rate (tests) | G30 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 88.4% (53,564) |
| 5-6 | 85.8% (8,077) | 87.0% (50,008) |
| 7-8 | 84.3% (56,032) | 84.9% (2,763) |
| 9-10 | 79.5% (61,598) | — |
| 11-12 | 73.2% (50,741) | — |
| 13-15 | 72.8% (14,097) | — |
Registration years in the G30
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the G30 (Mar 2017 to Sept 2023). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific BMW 5 Series G30
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.