BMW 5 Series (2007)
2007 BMW 5 Series
CarHunch analysed 2,167 real MOT records for the 2007 BMW 5 Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2007 BMW 5 Series hits the UK average pass rate at 80.1%, but that masks a serious concern: 40% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects over their lifetime, well above the threshold that should worry a buyer. Diesel models (the vast majority at 1,883 vehicles) pass slightly less often at 79.6% compared to petrol at 83.1%, suggesting marginally better longevity with petrol engines.
Most examples sit around 108,000 miles, which is typical for a 17-year-old car, but the average of 3.2 failures and 16.3 advisories per test tells you these are ageing machines with mounting issues. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, suspension components, and electrical gremlins—the repeated advisory patterns on BMW 5 Series of this era—and factor in higher maintenance costs than mainstream rivals.
What to check before buying a 2007 BMW 5 Series
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 5 Series
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (87%) | 1,883 | 79.6% | 3.3 |
| Petrol (13%) | 283 | 83.1% | 2.53 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 80% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2007 BMW 5 Series vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2007 BMW 5 Series vehicles fall between 88,219 and 131,709 miles.
2007 BMW 5 Series — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 704 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (39% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific BMW 5 Series?
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