Hybrid BMW 5 Series: MOT pass rate

88.5% of hybrid BMW 5 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 13,263 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 64,074.

Hybrid against the other BMW 5 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Hybrids sidestep most emissions failures and tend to do lighter urban miles, though the extra weight tells on tyres and brakes.

On the BMW 5 Series specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 88.5%, and this hybrid version sits 2.7 points above the 85.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The hybrid BMW 5 Series is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average hybrid BMW 5 Series had covered 64,074 miles at test, against 92,298 for the diesel and 53,793 for the petrol. That is around average, so condition and service history will tell you more than the odometer does.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 5 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a hybrid BMW 5 Series

1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 1.3% of tests (22.81x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.1% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber, 0.4% of tests (2.21x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 5.2% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.8% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
6. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.3% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2% of tests
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.4% of tests
9. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.4% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 0.3% of tests

From 13,334 DVSA-tracked hybrid BMW 5 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 5 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 13.51% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a hybrid BMW 5 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 12.2% of tests (3.12x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 22.8% of tests, also fails
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.6% of tests, also fails
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2% of tests
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 1.4% of tests
6. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 0.9% of tests
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.5% of tests
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.5% of tests
9. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 0.5% of tests
10. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 0.4% of tests

From 13,334 DVSA-tracked hybrid BMW 5 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 5 Series fuel types

• Diesel BMW 5 Series - 84.2%
• Petrol BMW 5 Series - 88.3%

All BMW 5 Series MOT data · Every model