BMW E60 M5
UK MOT + US NHTSA · Reviewed · MethodologyUK roadworthiness data and US recall records · Great Britain MOT 2023; US NHTSA full-file snapshot 2026-10-29; UK DfT stock 2025 · Reviewed by Responsable del proyecto (usuario de esta conversación; nombre personal no facilitado) on 2026-10-29 · Sources and methodology
At a glance
- First-presentation pass rate
- 86.4%n = 867 initial tests
- Initial tests
- 867UK MOT 2023
- Engine
- 5.0L V10Technical source in the engine section
- Years
- US launch: MY2006Production and US model years can differ
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
The E60 gives this M5 group its V10 chapter. BMW's US 2006 material pairs that engine with a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox, while this guide treats transmission history and condition as separate questions. A documented rear-lamp campaign is included; claims about bearing, actuator and SMG failure frequency remain explicitly unresolved. British E61 Touring references are labeled as such. This is a source-based guide, not a road test. Initial human editorial review is complete;
Is the E60 M5 reliable?
No data: we do not have a representative major-repair rate for the E60 M5 or an official comparison of transmission failure probabilities. A technically distinctive engine does not, by itself, prove either durability or fragility. The records below can identify issues to investigate; they cannot produce a responsible personal reliability forecast.
An inspection should explain the car's present findings and the evidence behind them. Ask for itemized records rather than a summary that major maintenance is complete. The purpose is to identify what is known, what changed and what remains uncertain. Our provisional editorial conclusion is that a reader seeking the V10 layout has a clear reason to study the E60, but the generation's identity cannot answer whether a particular example is fit for the intended use.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- NHTSA: Resources Related to Investigations and Recalls · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA US government webpage; factual paraphrase. · Complaints do not provide a fleet exposure denominator or a measured failure probability.
Campaign evidence and unresolved ownership questions
The following separates a verified safety campaign from repair topics that need additional primary evidence. It is not a frequency table.
Rear lamp bulb-carrier campaign
NHTSA campaign 13V-407 includes certain 2008–2010 M5 sedans. The official acknowledgement describes increased resistance at rear-lamp contacts, potentially affecting rear lighting, and a bulb-carrier replacement remedy. The campaign also covers other 5 Series models; its total population is not an M5-only count.
For a relevant vehicle, check campaign completion and have current lamp functions demonstrated. A working lamp during one demonstration does not establish that a historical campaign has been completed.
- NHTSA acknowledgement: Recall 13V-407, tail-light failure · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA federal acknowledgement; US government material, factual paraphrase. · Campaign contains several 5 Series models; total campaign population is not an M5 count.
V10 rod-bearing questions
No data: the official material retrieved for this guide does not establish a universal bearing-replacement interval or a measured probability of failure. We do not repeat mileage rules or claim that every engine needs the same intervention. Ask for the exact scope and date of any recorded engine work and the inspector's interpretation of that evidence.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
SMG transmission condition
BMW's US material confirms the seven-speed sequential manual layout. No data: it does not establish an SMG pump, clutch or control-system failure rate. The presence of paddles is not enough to compare its design with the dual-clutch F10 transmission, and a claim that it has been serviced needs an itemized record.
Have an inspector assess the actual fitted transmission and explain any faults or operating concerns. Keep a preference for a particular control layout separate from a prediction about its remaining service life.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- BMW USA: The 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years, historical generations · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; limited factual synthesis only. · Its retrospective date headings are not treated as a complete US model-year table; local dates are checked against contemporary launch sources.
Actuator and VANOS claims
No data: this guide has no accepted official defect document defining a generation-wide actuator or VANOS problem population. These labels alone are not diagnoses. Any inspection recommendation should identify the observed finding, the proposed work and the evidence linking them.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- NHTSA acknowledgement: Recall 13V-407, tail-light failure · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA federal acknowledgement; US government material, factual paraphrase. · Campaign contains several 5 Series models; total campaign population is not an M5 count.
What to check before buying
Begin with the actual specification and records, then commission a written assessment. Ask the inspector to state what they could and could not establish about previous engine and transmission work. A polished maintenance summary should lead to the underlying paperwork.
- Verify the VIN, build information and fitted transmission; document any conversion or major replacement claimed.
- Check relevant campaigns and retain completion evidence; include the rear lighting in the inspection.
- Request itemized records for bearing, VANOS, actuator and transmission work, without treating a missing invoice as proof of failure.
- Ask the inspector to document diagnostic findings, warning messages, leaks, body condition and equipment operation.
- List unresolved findings before deciding whether a road demonstration or further specialist assessment is appropriate.
- NHTSA: Check for Recalls · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA US government webpage; factual paraphrase. · Dynamic service; no live VIN query was performed.
- NHTSA acknowledgement: Recall 13V-407, tail-light failure · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA federal acknowledgement; US government material, factual paraphrase. · Campaign contains several 5 Series models; total campaign population is not an M5 count.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
US launch context and annual changes
BMW's contemporary US material identifies the V10 M5 as a 2006 model. A retrospective generation heading is not used here to claim a different US first model year.
No data: a fully verified US annual change table and manual-transmission introduction record were not retrieved in this research pass. For a claimed factory manual or a particular equipment change, seek the car's original build evidence and a primary US specification. We do not fill the table from third-party summaries.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- BMW USA: The 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years, historical generations · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; limited factual synthesis only. · Its retrospective date headings are not treated as a complete US model-year table; local dates are checked against contemporary launch sources.
The V10 distinction
The US engine rating used here is 500 hp and 383 lb-ft for the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10. The seven-speed SMG is a sequential manual design, and should retain that label when compared with the F10's M DCT.
Those facts explain the E60's place between the manual V8 E39 and turbocharged V8 F10. They do not establish which engine sounds better, which car is more enjoyable or what an individual car will cost to maintain. Such conclusions would require human assessment and suitable evidence, neither of which is claimed here.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- BMW USA: The 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years, historical generations · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; limited factual synthesis only. · Its retrospective date headings are not treated as a complete US model-year table; local dates are checked against contemporary launch sources.
US recalls and VIN confirmation
The campaign panel concerns the listed model-year records. Confirm applicability and completion for the VIN, particularly where a campaign spans several 5 Series models. Current official instructions take priority over this historical summary.
| Complaint coverage | Recall coverage | Queried model years | Owner reports | Unique campaigns | Vehicle denominator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete for requested model-year scope | Complete for requested model-year scope | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 | 52 | 2 | No data |
No data means the stated scope is unavailable, incomplete or has no vehicle denominator; it never means zero. Report totals and details are shown only for complete requested coverage for the respective dataset. Counts are not vehicle-level failure probabilities.
- NHTSA official datasets and APIs · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · US federal government public data; NHTSA
| Campaign | Queried model years | Report date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V126000 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 | 20120326 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES | BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT. |
| 13V407000 | 2008;2009;2010 | 20130911 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse). |
Campaign records may overlap model years and other BMW models. A listed campaign does not establish whether a particular VIN remains unrepaired.
- NHTSA recalls; check an individual vehicle by VIN · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · US federal government public data; NHTSA
| Component | Reports mentioning component | Reports in query | Queried model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 29 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| SEAT BELTS | 8 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| ENGINE | 5 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| SEATS | 5 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| STEERING | 2 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 | 52 | 2006;2007;2008;2009;2010 |
Owner reports are allegations and may mention several components. No fleet denominator is available: these counts are not failure rates or proof of a defect.
- NHTSA complaints dataset · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · US federal government public data; NHTSA
- NHTSA: Check for Recalls · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA US government webpage; factual paraphrase. · Dynamic service; no live VIN query was performed.
- NHTSA VIN recall lookup
British test results and US ownership
Read this as a British inspection sample with explicit result definitions. It is not a V10 or SMG durability survey. An engine-repair forecast cannot be inferred from the share of tests ending in a pass, and unverified odometer units are left unknown.
| Test year | Initial tests | P: first pass | F: failed | PRS: rectified | First-presentation pass (%) | Final pass (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 867 | 749 | 100 | 18 | 86.4% | 88.5 |
P passed at first presentation; F failed; PRS failed initially and passed after rectification. First-presentation pass rate = P / (P + F + PRS); final pass rate = (P + PRS) / (P + F + PRS). UK roadworthiness tests cover safety and emissions; they do not measure engine life, gearbox health, service history or US failure probability. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
- Open Government Licence v3.0
| Record kind | MOT area code | Annotations | Distinct tests | Tests per 100 initial tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| advisory | Body, chassis, structure | 20 | 20 | 2.3 |
| advisory | Brakes | 284 | 152 | 17.5 |
| advisory | Identification of the vehicle | 4 | 3 | 0.3 |
| advisory | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14 | 10 | 1.2 |
| advisory | Noise, emissions and leaks | 26 | 25 | 2.9 |
| advisory | Non-component advisories | 16 | 16 | 1.8 |
| advisory | Road Wheels | 5 | 5 | 0.6 |
| advisory | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
| advisory | Steering | 11 | 9 | 1.0 |
| advisory | Suspension | 137 | 76 | 8.8 |
| advisory | Tyres | 239 | 131 | 15.1 |
| advisory | Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
| defect | Body, chassis, structure | 5 | 5 | 0.6 |
| defect | Brakes | 43 | 26 | 3.0 |
| defect | Identification of the vehicle | 4 | 2 | 0.2 |
| defect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 32 | 24 | 2.8 |
| defect | Noise, emissions and leaks | 38 | 25 | 2.9 |
| defect | Road Wheels | 8 | 6 | 0.7 |
| defect | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 12 | 12 | 1.4 |
| defect | Steering | 12 | 9 | 1.0 |
| defect | Suspension | 29 | 20 | 2.3 |
| defect | Tyres | 50 | 29 | 3.3 |
| defect | Visibility | 24 | 17 | 2.0 |
| minor | Brakes | 6 | 6 | 0.7 |
| minor | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17 | 13 | 1.5 |
| minor | Steering | 2 | 2 | 0.2 |
| minor | Suspension | 22 | 16 | 1.8 |
| minor | Tyres | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
| minor | Visibility | 35 | 30 | 3.5 |
| rectified_defect | Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
| rectified_defect | Identification of the vehicle | 4 | 2 | 0.2 |
| rectified_defect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10 | 8 | 0.9 |
| rectified_defect | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3 | 3 | 0.3 |
| rectified_defect | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3 | 3 | 0.3 |
| rectified_defect | Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0.1 |
| rectified_defect | Tyres | 2 | 2 | 0.2 |
| rectified_defect | Visibility | 3 | 3 | 0.3 |
Area codes follow the DVSA source. The percentage counts distinct tests within each area; one test can appear in several areas. Do not add percentages across areas. Defect, rectified-defect, minor and advisory records are separate.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
| Item | Inspection area | Distinct initial tests | Tests per 100 initial tests | Source record code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 18 | 2.1 | F |
| An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 12 | 1.4 | F |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | Noise, emissions and leaks | 11 | 1.3 | F |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | Visibility | 9 | 1.0 | F |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | Tyres | 8 | 0.9 | F |
| Audible warning inoperative | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7 | 0.8 | F |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Suspension | 7 | 0.8 | F |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 7 | 0.8 | F |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | Steering | 6 | 0.7 | F |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 6 | 0.7 | F |
| Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | Brakes | 5 | 0.6 | F |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 5 | 0.6 | F |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | Brakes | 4 | 0.5 | F |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Suspension | 4 | 0.5 | F |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 4 | 0.5 | F |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | Brakes | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| Warning device shows system malfunction | Brakes | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud | Road Wheels | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | Road Wheels | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3 | 0.3 | F |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 3 | 0.3 | F |
Ranked by distinct initial tests mentioning each item, within this record kind only. Do not add item percentages or record kinds: a test can mention several items. F/P source records remain separate. Catalogue deficiency categories are not observed severity and are not displayed. Advisory and minor records are not counted as failed tests.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
- Open Government Licence v3.0
| Item | Inspection area | Distinct initial tests | Tests per 100 initial tests | Source record code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3 | 0.3 | P |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3 | 0.3 | P |
| An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3 | 0.3 | P |
| Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | Identification of the vehicle | 2 | 0.2 | P |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2 | 0.2 | P |
| Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator | Brakes | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes | Tyres | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 1 | 0.1 | P |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | Visibility | 1 | 0.1 | P |
Ranked by distinct initial tests mentioning each item, within this record kind only. Do not add item percentages or record kinds: a test can mention several items. F/P source records remain separate. Catalogue deficiency categories are not observed severity and are not displayed. Advisory and minor records are not counted as failed tests.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
- Open Government Licence v3.0
| Item | Inspection area | Distinct initial tests | Tests per 100 initial tests | Source record code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | Tyres | 76 | 8.8 | A |
| corroded, covered in grease or other material | Brakes | 68 | 7.8 | A |
| worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | Brakes | 64 | 7.4 | A |
| slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Tyres | 44 | 5.1 | A |
| pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Suspension | 42 | 4.8 | A |
| wearing thin | Brakes | 22 | 2.5 | A |
| leak, but not excessive | Noise, emissions and leaks | 19 | 2.2 | A |
| has light misting of oil | Suspension | 14 | 1.6 | A |
| has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 11 | 1.3 | A |
| corroded | Suspension | 10 | 1.2 | A |
| noisy | Body, chassis, structure | 9 | 1.0 | A |
| has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Body, chassis, structure | 8 | 0.9 | A |
| worn, but not excessively | Brakes | 8 | 0.9 | A |
| worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | Tyres | 8 | 0.9 | A |
| has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7 | 0.8 | A |
| slightly damaged | Tyres | 7 | 0.8 | A |
| binding but not excessively | Brakes | 6 | 0.7 | A |
| leak, but not excessive | Noise, emissions and leaks | 6 | 0.7 | A |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 6 | 0.7 | A |
| ball joint has slight play | Suspension | 6 | 0.7 | A |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 5 | 0.6 | A |
| slightly distorted | Road Wheels | 5 | 0.6 | A |
| ball joint has slight play | Steering | 5 | 0.6 | A |
| corroded but not seriously weakened | Suspension | 5 | 0.6 | A |
| slightly deteriorated | Brakes | 3 | 0.3 | A |
Ranked by distinct initial tests mentioning each item, within this record kind only. Do not add item percentages or record kinds: a test can mention several items. F/P source records remain separate. Catalogue deficiency categories are not observed severity and are not displayed. Advisory and minor records are not counted as failed tests.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
- Open Government Licence v3.0
| Item | Inspection area | Distinct initial tests | Tests per 100 initial tests | Source record code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | Visibility | 23 | 2.7 | M |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | Suspension | 10 | 1.2 | M |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5 | 0.6 | M |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4 | 0.5 | M |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | Suspension | 4 | 0.5 | M |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | Visibility | 4 | 0.5 | M |
| Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted | Brakes | 3 | 0.3 | M |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | Suspension | 3 | 0.3 | M |
| Wiper blade defective | Visibility | 3 | 0.3 | M |
| Flexible brake hose slightly damaged, chafed or twisted | Brakes | 2 | 0.2 | M |
| A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2 | 0.2 | M |
| Windscreen or window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view | Visibility | 2 | 0.2 | M |
| Brake fluid warning light illuminated or defective | Brakes | 1 | 0.1 | M |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | M |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1 | 0.1 | M |
| Power steering fluid level below minimum mark | Steering | 1 | 0.1 | M |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | Steering | 1 | 0.1 | M |
| Tyre obviously under inflated | Tyres | 1 | 0.1 | M |
Ranked by distinct initial tests mentioning each item, within this record kind only. Do not add item percentages or record kinds: a test can mention several items. F/P source records remain separate. Catalogue deficiency categories are not observed severity and are not displayed. Advisory and minor records are not counted as failed tests.
- DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Retrieved 2026-10-29T05:26:14Z · Open Government Licence v3.0 · BMW M5; cc=4999-4999; first_use_year=2004-2011; provisional cohort, not VIN verified; ambiguous F10/F90 2017 excluded
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- GOV.UK / DVSA: Getting an MOT · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · Open Government Licence v3.0 except where stated; attribution to GOV.UK / DVSA. · Not a US inspection survey or a forecast of engine/transmission durability.
Production and surviving vehicles
No data: this release does not include an accepted total for E60 sedans and E61 Touring cars by market and transmission. Mixing these scopes would make a single total misleading. Separately labeled registration data remain a different measure.
| Period | Manufacture cohort | Licensed | SORN | Coverage | Coverage reason | Source limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | No data | No data | No data | No data | No documented global manufacture interval accepted for this generation; US model-year launch evidence does not establish a UK manufacture mapping. | United Kingdom end-of-year stock in DfT VEH0124, not worldwide or US survivors. Approximate partial cohort by recorded model label and YearManufacture; not VIN-verified. Boundary years and unknown manufacture years excluded. Imports, exports, scrappage and registration/coding changes affect stock; no production denominator or survival percentage. Non-numeric source cells stay unknown; absent rows are not zero. |
UK registrations are not worldwide production totals. A manufacture cohort covers only the listed manufacture years; partial cohorts must not be read as a whole-generation total. A generation total is shown only when the supplied mapping supports it.
- DfT vehicle licensing statistics · United Kingdom end-of-year stock in DfT VEH0124, not worldwide or US survivors. Approximate partial cohort by recorded model label and YearManufacture; not VIN-verified. Boundary years and unknown manufacture years excluded. Imports, exports, scrappage and registration/coding changes affect stock; no production denominator or survival percentage. Non-numeric source cells stay unknown; absent rows are not zero.
E61 M5 Touring: keep the market label
BMW's UK 2007 release introduces the M5 Touring in that market. We keep the E61 as a clearly labeled related variant within the E60 generation context. Its UK appearance does not establish US original-sale availability, import eligibility or the specification of a particular imported car.
- BMW UK: New 5 Series range and M5 Touring · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; brief fact only. · UK-market source; no claim about US registration/import eligibility.
- BMW USA: BMW 3 Series Named Automobile of the Year, 2006 M5 specification · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; technical facts only; award quotations not reproduced. · Exact publication date not captured. Not a reliability study and not used to repeat third-party driving praise.
- NHTSA acknowledgement: Recall 13V-407, tail-light failure · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · NHTSA federal acknowledgement; US government material, factual paraphrase. · Campaign contains several 5 Series models; total campaign population is not an M5 count.
- BMW UK: New 5 Series range and M5 Touring · Retrieved 2026-10-28 · BMW copyrighted press material; brief fact only. · UK-market source; no claim about US registration/import eligibility.
Continue exploring
BMW E39 M5
US E39 M5 reference: S62 and six-speed manual, safety-campaign checks, unresolved repair claims and a practical inspection evidence checklist.
BMW F10 M5
US F10 M5 reference with launch and Competition specifications, the narrow 2013 oil-pump campaign, inspection questions and explicit reliability limits.
Read the evidence in context
The MOT is a UK roadworthiness inspection. Its pass rate is not an engine-reliability score and does not predict a US owner's repair costs. Recall applicability must be checked by VIN. Read the methodology and limitations.