2012 BMW 5 Series petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol BMW 5 Series first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 574 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2012 BMW 5 Series petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 BMW 5 Series petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres20% 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.
- Brakes15% 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.
- Suspension13% 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.
- Lights and electrics8% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors6% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Oil and fluid leaks4% 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.
Known faults on the 2012 BMW 5 Series petrol
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Timing chain wear
Wear in the timing chain guides and tensioner shows up as a grinding or rattling noise at start-up. Putting it right is a big job with a big bill.
At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for grinding or rattling in the first few seconds.
- All engines
Wet passenger footwell
A leak at the heater blower housing can soak the front passenger carpet, often noticed as a musty smell.
At the viewing: Feel the passenger-side carpet for damp and sniff for mustiness.
- All engines
Cranks but won’t start
A failing fuel pump control unit can stop the engine firing even though it turns over. It has to be replaced.
At the viewing: Make sure it starts promptly every time you try.
- All engines
Noisy or odd-feeling steering
Air getting into the power steering, usually from a failing pump, makes the steering noisy.
At the viewing: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and listen for whining.
- All engines
Ticking from a front wheel
A brake disc that sits too close to the wheel bearing can tick on every turn. A small spacer fixes it.
At the viewing: Drive slowly with the window down and listen for ticking.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 BMW 5 Series petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the timing chain or its guides been replaced, and is there an invoice?
- 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% |
| 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% |
| 2005 | 1,153 | Suspension 46% |
| 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 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score