Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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.

Is the 2020 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,015 vehicles, the 2020 BMW 5 Series has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.8%, 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 2020 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 (2020)

4,015 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.8% first-time pass rate

2020 BMW 5 Series

CarHunch analysed 4,015 real MOT records for the 2020 BMW 5 Series. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2020 BMW 5 Series is a notably reliable performer, with a 91.8% first-time pass rate that sits well clear of the UK average of 80%, and only 15.9% of vehicles ever recording a dangerous defect—low enough that safety isn't a major concern for this cohort. Petrol versions edge ahead at 93.1% pass rate, while hybrids lag slightly at 89.6%, though all three fuel types outperform the national baseline.

At a median mileage of 29,947 miles for a 2020 model, these cars are running relatively light, yet they still average 1.8 advisories per vehicle—suggesting minor wear items and preventative notes rather than serious failures. If you're buying one, budget for small maintenance calls beyond warranty, but the 0.37 average failures per vehicle indicates you're unlikely to face major structural or mechanical problems in the near term.

The 2020 BMW 5 Series passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (91.8%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

91.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

15.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.37

Over 3.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 22k–40k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 91.8% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.8 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 4,015 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,015 BMW 5 Series cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 1.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

93.1%

Petrol

1,765 vehicles

91.5%

Diesel

1,277 vehicles

Before you buy a 2020 BMW 5 Series

Based on MOT data from 4,015 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.9% 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
Petrol (44%)	1,765	93.1%	0.31
Diesel (32%)	1,277	91.5%	0.38
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (22%)	885	89.6%	0.47
Electric Diesel (2%)	88	92%	0.35

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 2020 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.

29,947

typical

22,069

low mileage

40,169

high mileage

Half of all 2020 BMW 5 Series vehicles fall between 22,069 and 40,169 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 22,069 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.

✓ 22,069–40,169 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2020 BMW 5 Seriess sit.

⚠ Over 54,228 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2020 BMW 5 Series — Still on the Road

Almost all 2020 BMW 5 Seriess are still on the road.

Strong survival — 3,655 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.37

Avg failures per vehicle

1.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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Compare with another model

See how the 2020 BMW 5 Series stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?