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BMW M5 E60 (2005-2010) reliability

Not enough data

BMW M5 E60 built around 2006: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of BMW M5 E60 models built around 2006 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a BMW M5 E60?

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

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

2005-2010SaloonPETROL

Based on 835 tests of M5 models registered 2005-2010.

E60 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1656.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2619.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
32812.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
818.6%

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 19 years old.

How the M5 E60 compares

At each age below, see how the M5 E60 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 43,734 tests across 10 BMW models, built around 2006 (19 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1656.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2619.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
32812.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
818.6%

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 pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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 M5 E60.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.1%

    No clear edge over the BMW M5 E60 on these figures.

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

    1,904 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    6.9%

    No clear edge over the BMW M5 E60 on these figures.

    4,958 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    Jaguar X-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    12%
    Dangerous
    9.4%

    No clear edge over the BMW M5 E60 on these figures.

    2,909 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    Volvo S40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.1%
    Dangerous
    8.3%

    No clear edge over the BMW M5 E60 on these figures.

    1,721 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

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.

How many are still registered

79%of all BMW M5 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

25 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the BMW 5 Series, the model this one is based on.

11 of the 25 M5 E60 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Drivers airbag may deploy incorrectly
  • Possibility of fire

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

How M5 E60 cars have aged

How M5 E60 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%1314151617181920Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (78 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (71 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 6.6% (61 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 5.4% (56 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (66 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (160 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (155 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (132 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (139 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (144 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (193 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (185 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (171 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (148 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (164 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (112 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (116 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (104 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (94 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (81 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
E60 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on BMW M5 models of this age

This list covers every BMW M5 built around 2006, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E60 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.0%
    Advisory: 59Fail: 3 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    9.4%
    Advisory: 46Fail: 12 (21% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    8.8%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.9%
    Advisory: 45Fail: 2 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    7.6%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 5 (13% of the times it was found)

Based on 328 tests

Looking at a BMW M5 E60?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the BMW M5 E60 (2005-2010) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 328 19-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 835 MOT tests on BMW M5 models first registered between 2005-2010. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.