Does the BMW M5 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The BMW M5 records 5.38 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.02 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−16.64, 95% interval −17.21 to −16.07). It ranks 689 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a BMW M5 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW M5 is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 371 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 371 | 1.43 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 127 | 0.49 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 126 | 0.49 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 108 | 0.42 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 104 | 0.40 |
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
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 noise, emissions and leaks 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