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BMW M5 F10 (2012-2016) reliability

Not enough data

BMW M5 F10 built around 2016: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of BMW M5 F10 models built around 2016 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a BMW M5 F10?

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.

BMW M5 F10
2012-2016SaloonPETROL

Based on 2,087 tests of M5 models registered 2012-2016.

F10 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
2059.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
39511.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4099.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
53211.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
36510.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
18111.6%

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 13 years old.

How the M5 F10 compares

At each age below, see how the M5 F10 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
2059.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
39511.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
4099.5%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
53211.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
36510.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
18111.6%

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 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.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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 F10.

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    More still registered at 10 years: 85%, against 79% for the BMW M5 F10.

    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 M5 F10 on these figures.

    14,114 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  3. 3

    Jaguar XF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.3%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    More still registered at 10 years: 91%, against 79% for the BMW M5 F10.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,066 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%

    No clear edge over the BMW M5 F10 on these figures.

    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

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

27 recalls in all

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

9 of the 27 M5 F10 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak
  • Exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time
  • Airbags may not deploy

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

How M5 F10 cars have aged

How M5 F10 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%5791113Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (270 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (251 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (221 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 9.4% (223 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (211 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (260 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 9.1% (254 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 7.0% (227 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (235 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 10.1% (208 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (365 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (312 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.7% (291 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (285 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (273 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (333 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (288 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (297 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (254 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (251 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (266 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (241 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 12.4% (225 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 8.7% (195 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (181 tests, 2025 data)2012
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
F10 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 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the F10 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

    14.4%
    Advisory: 97Fail: 4 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    6.3%
    Advisory: 38Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.1%
    Advisory: 25Fail: 10 (29% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    4.3%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, but not excessively

    2.8%
    Advisory: 13Fail: 3 (19% of the times it was found)

Based on 395 tests

Looking at a BMW M5 F10?

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 M5 F10 (2012-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 395 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 2,087 MOT tests on BMW M5 models first registered between 2012-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.