Used car guide

2008 BMW 5 Series diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel BMW 5 Series first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 2,100 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,100MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
72%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
10,000typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.4× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    8.7% All 2008 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Link ball joint covers2× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    6.7% All 2008 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Windscreen1.9× usual
    BMW 5 Series
    6.8% All 2008 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.6% here, against 11.4% of all 2008 cars. Exhaust system: 3.4% here, against 8.6% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 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
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% 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
    15% 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 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 BMW 5 Series diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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%
20072,675Suspension 43%
20062,292Suspension 43%
20051,153Suspension 46%
2004829Suspension 48%
2003630Suspension 39%
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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score