Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 BMW M5?

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 2006 BMW M5?

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 2006 BMW M5?

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 2006 BMW M5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 726 vehicles, the 2006 BMW M5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 BMW M5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 BMW M5 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (70.3% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (69.4% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (51.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 BMW M5?

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 M5 (2006)

726 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.8% first-time pass rate

2006 BMW M5

CarHunch analysed 726 real MOT records for the 2006 BMW M5. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2006 BMW M5 hits the UK average first-time pass rate of 80.3%, so reliability is broadly in line with the wider car pairing—though 17.6% have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth noting if you're buying used. Petrol variants pass at 80.2%, confirming that fuel type isn't a differentiator here.

At nearly 62,000 miles on average, these cars have been properly driven, yet the median score of 50 suggests they're middle-of-the-road on condition. The real story is the 9.1 advisories per vehicle: this is a complex machine with lots of wear points, so budget for maintenance and get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically flags suspension, electronics, and cooling system issues before committing.

The 2006 BMW M5 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (85.8%) — 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

85.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

17.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.78

Over 11.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

60k

Middle half: 46k–73k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 85.8% 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 9.1 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 726 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?

What tends to go wrong

Across 726 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 70.3%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 51.7%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'

Brake wear 30.5%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 726 BMW M5 cars.

Before you buy a 2006 BMW M5

Based on MOT data from 726 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.6% 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 (94%)	686	86%	1.85

Colour Breakdown

Based on 8,289 BMW M5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 41.6%

3,449

Black 27.1%

2,246

Grey 11.9%

988

Silver 5.7%

476

White 5.1%

422

Red 3.8%

312

Green 1.6%

129

Orange 1.5%

122

Purple 1%

Bronze 0.4%

Yellow 0.2%

Beige 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 BMW M5 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.

59,937

typical

46,198

low mileage

73,418

high mileage

Half of all 2006 BMW M5 vehicles fall between 46,198 and 73,418 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 46,198 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.

✓ 46,198–73,418 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 BMW M5s sit.

⚠ Over 99,114 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 BMW M5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 2006 BMW M5s are still active.

258 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% 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.
* 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

11.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.78

Avg failures per vehicle

9.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW M5: All M5 years → Which year to buy? →

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Average reliability — agree?