Does the BMW M5 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The BMW M5 records 3.57 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.15 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.58, 95% interval −1.85 to −1.30). It ranks 501 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a BMW M5 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW M5 is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 286 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 286 | 1.10 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 196 | 0.76 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 178 | 0.69 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 152 | 0.59 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 45 | 0.17 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 25,897 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a BMW M5 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
2.7% of BMW M5 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 1,001 miles later (738 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 738 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
BMW M5 2011 · BMW M5 2012 · BMW M5 2013 · BMW M5 2014 · BMW M5 2015 · BMW M5 2016 · BMW M5 in the Netherlands · BMW M5 by postcode area · BMW M5 body, chassis and structure failures · BMW M5 brakes failures · BMW M5 vehicle identification failures · BMW M5 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · BMW M5 road wheels failures · BMW M5 seat belts and airbags failures · BMW M5 steering failures · BMW M5 suspension failures · BMW M5 tyres failures · BMW M5 visibility failures