Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 BMW M5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 429 vehicles, the 2016 BMW M5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 BMW M5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 BMW M5 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24.3% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18.5% 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 2016 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 (2016)

429 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.4% first-time pass rate

2016 BMW M5

CarHunch analysed 429 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW M5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 429 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2016 BMW M5 is a reliably built machine, passing its first MOT 92.4% of the time versus the UK average of 80%—a genuinely strong result that suggests owners are keeping these high-performance cars in good shape. However, 17.7% have encountered dangerous defects at some point, which is worth noting if you're considering one; this sits just below the threshold of real concern but warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At 40,676 miles average, these M5s are running relatively light for their age, and most issues that do arise are minor (3.8 advisories per car versus 0.64 failures). Before committing to purchase, obtain a full service history and have a BMW-specialist inspection done, as the average advisory count suggests small issues are common enough that preventative maintenance and catching problems early will save money over ownership.

The 2016 BMW M5 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (92.4%) — 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

92.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

17.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.64

Over 7.3 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

40k

Middle half: 29k–52k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.4% 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 3.8 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 429 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 429 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 24.3%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Brake wear 15.1%

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

Other issues 12.3%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 429 BMW M5 cars.

Before you buy a 2016 BMW M5

Based on MOT data from 429 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17.7% 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

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 2016 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.

39,742

typical

28,595

low mileage

51,968

high mileage

Half of all 2016 BMW M5 vehicles fall between 28,595 and 51,968 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,595 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.

✓ 28,595–51,968 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 BMW M5s sit.

⚠ Over 70,156 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 BMW M5 — Still on the Road

Most 2016 BMW M5s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 351 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 87% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* 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

7.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.64

Avg failures per vehicle

3.8

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 2016 BMW M5 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?