Used car guide

2003 BMW 5 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol BMW 5 Series first registered in 2003 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 356 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 356 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

356MOTs of 2003 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
6,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    31.7% All 2003 cars
    15%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    35% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    33% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 BMW 5 Series petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 5 Series?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 5 Series compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023449Tyres 12%
20222,690Tyres 22%
20213,736Tyres 22%
202012,610Tyres 22%
201946,328Tyres 23%
201856,183Tyres 24%
201739,758Tyres 24%
2016120Tyres 18%
2015188Tyres 19%
2014591Tyres 24%
201317,632Tyres 30%
201217,731Tyres 30%
20113,218Tyres 31%
20101,982Tyres 30%
20092,128Suspension 33%
20082,430Suspension 37%
20072,675Suspension 43%
20062,292Suspension 43%
20051,153Suspension 46%
2004829Suspension 48%
2002523Brakes 39%
2001360Suspension 43%
2000232Suspension 41%
1999174Brakes 44%
1998167Brakes 38%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 5 Series cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score