Skip to main content
Check

BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 (2010-2016) reliability

At a glance

BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 built around 2016: about average at the MOT

BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 models built around 2016 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 models built around 2016 ended in a fail (retests included), against 17% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 models built around 2016 involves the tyres.

BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07
excellent reliability2010-2016SaloonDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL

Based on 112,721 tests of 5 Series models registered 2010-2016.

About 1 in 30 5 Series F10/F11/F07 MOTs (3.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2016 (9 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 18,275 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 5 Series F10/F11/F07 MOTs (5.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2016 (9 years old).

Based on 18,275 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

F10/F11/F07 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,88412.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18,27513.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
19,24914.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,20017.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
16,99921.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
15,04521.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,63721.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,43220.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 14 years old.

How the 5 Series F10/F11/F07 compares

At each age below, see how the 5 Series F10/F11/F07 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 160,988 tests across 18 BMW models, built around 2016 (9 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
7,88412.9%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18,27513.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
19,24914.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,20017.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
16,99921.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
15,04521.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,63721.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,43220.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 5 Series F10/F11/F07.

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    1,264 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  2. 2

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.3%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    No clear edge over the BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 on these figures.

    14,114 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.3%, against 5.5% for the BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07.

    1,093 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  4. 4

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 5.0%, against 5.5% for the BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07.

    14,728 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

83%of all BMW 5 Series cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

113 recalls in all

19 of the 113 5 Series F10/F11/F07 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 Critical
  • 12 more

Top concerns

  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
  • A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is
  • Exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel 5 Series tests (not specific to F10/F11/F07).

1.4 to 2.0 litres14.2%14,556 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres12.7%3,198 tests
How 5 Series F10/F11/F07 cars have aged

How 5 Series F10/F11/F07 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%579111315Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (11,433 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (11,131 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (10,724 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (10,281 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (9,923 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (12,471 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (11,997 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (11,695 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (11,302 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (11,000 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (11,950 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (11,534 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (11,083 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (10,742 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (10,380 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (11,197 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (10,626 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (10,254 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (9,763 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (9,352 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (11,650 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 20.5% (10,990 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (10,446 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (9,659 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (9,011 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (10,908 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (10,107 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (9,292 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (8,349 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (7,512 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (7,013 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (6,427 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (5,743 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (5,011 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (4,432 tests, 2025 data)2010
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
F10/F11/F07 variants compared

5 Series F10/F11/F07 variants built around 2016

The fail rate for each 5 Series F10/F11/F07 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 52014.2%13,741 tests
  • 53013.2%1,890 tests
  • 53511.8%1,275 tests
  • 52514.1%417 tests
  • 51813.2%408 tests

Petrol

  • 52815.7%223 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on BMW 5 Series models of this age

This list covers every BMW 5 Series built around 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the F10/F11/F07 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.5%
    Advisory: 5,547Fail: 528 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.1%
    Advisory: 1,638Fail: 175 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.5%
    Advisory: 1,582Fail: 19 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.4%
    Advisory: 809Fail: 525 (39% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.9%
    Advisory: 960Fail: 127 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 18,275 tests

Looking at a BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2016 (9 years old), the BMW 5 Series F10/F11/F07 (2010-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 18,275 9-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 112,721 MOT tests on BMW 5 Series models first registered between 2010-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.