BMW M5 (1987)
1987 BMW M5
CarHunch analysed 103 real MOT records for the 1987 BMW M5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 BMW M5 passes its MOT just half the time—a stark 30-point gap below the UK average of 80%—which means you're looking at a car that demands serious mechanical attention. Only 7.8% have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety isn't the primary concern, but the 1.31 average failures per vehicle reveal these are temperamental machines that regularly need proper fixes, not just patches.
These M5s are running at 135,316 miles on average, which is genuinely high for a 37-year-old car and explains much of the failure rate; the 4.6 advisories per test suggest wear across multiple systems rather than one catastrophic weak point. Before committing to one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a marque specialist and factor in ongoing repair costs—this isn't a casual ownership proposition.
What to check before buying a 1987 BMW M5
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.
- 📄 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 M5
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 102 | 50.2% | 1.31 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 75% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 BMW M5 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 1987 BMW M5 vehicles fall between 106,912 and 162,808 miles.
1987 BMW M5 — Still on the Road
16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 BMW M5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
33.9%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
-
28%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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25.4%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
-
22.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
22%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
-
17.8%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
16.9%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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16.9%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW M5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.