Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2007 BMW 5 Series?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2007 BMW 5 Series?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2007 BMW 5 Series?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2007 BMW 5 Series vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2007 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,167 vehicles, the 2007 BMW 5 Series has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2007 BMW 5 Series?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 5 Series (2007)

2,167 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.1% first-time pass rate

2007 BMW 5 Series

CarHunch analysed 2,167 real MOT records for the 2007 BMW 5 Series. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2007 BMW 5 Series has a decent first-time pass rate (80.1%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.2

Over 14.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

108k

Middle half: 88k–132k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 16.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,167 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,167 BMW 5 Series cars.

Before you buy a 2007 BMW 5 Series

Based on MOT data from 2,167 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 118,673 BMW 5 Series vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 25.4%

30,117

Black 25%

29,708

Grey 18.5%

21,995

White 11.6%

13,821

Silver 10.8%

12,865

Green 4.1%

4,869

Red 3.4%

4,014

Bronze 0.4%

444

Beige 0.2%

266

Brown 0.2%

259

Purple 0.2%

183

Gold 0.1%

132

Mileage Distribution

Most 2007 BMW 5 Series vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

108,284

typical

88,219

low mileage

131,709

high mileage

Half of all 2007 BMW 5 Series vehicles fall between 88,219 and 131,709 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 88,219 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 88,219–131,709 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2007 BMW 5 Seriess sit.

⚠ Over 177,807 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2007 BMW 5 Series — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 39% of 2007 BMW 5 Seriess are still active.

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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

14.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.2

Avg failures per vehicle

16.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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Watch for defects — worth knowing