Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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.

How many 2008 BMW M5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% 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 2008 BMW M5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles, the 2008 BMW M5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 89.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 BMW M5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 BMW M5 are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (54.8% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (52.5% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (50.2% 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 2008 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 (2008)

182 real MOT outcomes analysed • 89.3% first-time pass rate

2008 BMW M5

CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 2008 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 Compare Models

The 2008 BMW M5 passes its MOT slightly more often than the UK average—85.8% versus 80%—which suggests reasonable reliability for a 16-year-old performance car. However, just over one in five examples (22.5%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a material concern for a buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

These M5s are running relatively low mileage for their age at a median of 55,934 miles, suggesting they've been kept as cherished weekend cars rather than daily drivers. The average 1.38 failures and 6.8 advisories per test indicate typical wear on ageing performance machinery, so budget for routine maintenance and get a full service history check before committing.

We have limited data for the 2008 BMW M5 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

89.3%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

22.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.38

Over 11.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

56k

Middle half: 43k–72k

For context

These stats describe 182 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 182 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 54.8%

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' · …

Tyre wear 52.5%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside 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.

Brake wear 24.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear 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 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 182 BMW M5 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 BMW M5

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.5% 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 (96%)	174	88.8%	1.44

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 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.

55,934

typical

42,973

low mileage

72,197

high mileage

Half of all 2008 BMW M5 vehicles fall between 42,973 and 72,197 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 42,973 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.

✓ 42,973–72,197 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 BMW M5s sit.

⚠ Over 97,465 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 BMW M5 — Still on the Road

Most 2008 BMW M5s are still being driven.

94 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 71% 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

11.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.38

Avg failures per vehicle

6.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 BMW M5 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?