BMW 5 Series (2013)
2013 BMW 5 Series
CarHunch analysed 7,489 real MOT records for the 2013 BMW 5 Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 BMW 5 Series diesel achieves an 83.7% first-time pass rate, slightly above the UK average of 80%, suggesting reasonable reliability for the age and mileage—though nearly 40% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect, which is a significant buyer concern worth investigating on the specific car's history. Petrol examples fare slightly better at 88.3%, but they represent less than 3% of the cohort.
At 82,420 miles median, these cars have been driven moderately for their decade-old age, yet they rack up 1.94 failures and 10.4 advisories per test on average, pointing to recurring wear and maintenance issues across the fleet. If you're considering one, request the full MOT history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, electrics, and cooling systems—the volume of advisories suggests these areas are prone to gradual deterioration rather than sudden catastrophic failure.
What to check before buying a 2013 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.
- ⚠️ 39.5% 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 (97%) | 7,256 | 83.7% | 1.96 |
| Petrol (3%) | 204 | 88.3% | 1.42 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 28 | 89.5% | 1 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 80% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 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 2013 BMW 5 Series vehicles fall between 63,603 and 104,839 miles.
2013 BMW 5 Series — Still on the Road
5,396 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific BMW 5 Series?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.