What are the most common problems with a 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel?

The biggest MOT weak spot is suspension arm bushes and joints: flagged on 23.5% of tests, 2.2× the rate for all 2005 cars, followed by engine oil leaks (22.9%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel?

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2005 BMW 5 Series diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel BMW 5 Series first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 799 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

799MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025

65%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)

9,200typical miles a year

2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual

BMW 5 Series
23.5% All 2005 cars
10.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Engine oil leaks1.7× usual

BMW 5 Series
22.9% All 2005 cars
13.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2005 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.
Airbag warning light3.2× usual

BMW 5 Series
5.5% All 2005 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Braking performance: 3% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

51% 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

43% 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.
Tyres

36% 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.
Lights and electrics

34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

24% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

11% 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 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel

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

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2005 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	449	Tyres 12%
2022	2,690	Tyres 22%
2021	3,736	Tyres 22%
2020	12,610	Tyres 22%
2019	46,328	Tyres 23%
2018	56,183	Tyres 24%
2017	39,758	Tyres 24%
2016	120	Tyres 18%
2015	188	Tyres 19%
2014	591	Tyres 24%
2013	17,632	Tyres 30%
2012	17,731	Tyres 30%
2011	3,218	Tyres 31%
2010	1,982	Tyres 30%
2009	2,128	Suspension 33%
2008	2,430	Suspension 37%
2007	2,675	Suspension 43%
2006	2,292	Suspension 43%
2004	829	Suspension 48%
2003	630	Suspension 39%
2002	523	Brakes 39%
2001	360	Suspension 43%
2000	232	Suspension 41%
1999	174	Brakes 44%
1998	167	Brakes 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 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score