BMW M5 reliability
The BMW M5 fails its MOT less often than most cars over 10 years old: 14.9% of 2,248 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
9 DVSA recalls for the BMW M5
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Checking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness
The Safety Recall relates to the air-conditioning wiring harness located behind the dashboard. On the affected vehicles the wiring harness was fixed very close to a screw connection on the interior microfilter housing cover. The microfilter of the air conditioning system will be regularly replaced as part of the oil service. It cannot be ruled out that cables may be damaged when replacing the microfilter during a workshop visit. The filter cover has to be removed from the lower part of the instrument panel. After replacing the filter the cover has to be refitted at which point the wires may become damaged or trapped. If the wiring harness is damaged this could lead to malfunctions of the air conditioning system as well as to a short circuit. In case of a short circuit a sensor may overheat while the vehicle is in operation. As a result smoke may develop from the instrument panel and subsequently a fire cannot be ruled out.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the air-conditioning wiring harness will be checked repaired if necessary and re-secured in a modified fixing.
Recalled models: M5 · 273 vehicles
Replace Double Universal Joint (Steering)
On affected vehicles there may have been a deviation in the production of the double universal joint on the steering column. Certain steering movements could result in the component failing.
Fix: Affected vehicles will have the double universal joint replaced.
Recalled models: M5 · 10 vehicles
Integrated Braking System
On certain vehicles the Integrated Brake (IB) system may be impaired due to contamination between electrical contacts.
Fix: Vehicles that may be affected by contamination are required to have the vehicle’s software updated which can detect signal interference before it occurs. If symptoms are detected you should refrain from use of the vehicle and the affected Integrated Brake (IB) system component will be replaced.
Recalled models: M5 · 1 vehicles
Screw connections of some seats and seatbelts may not have been properly tightened during vehicle production
Screw connections of some seats and seatbelts may not have been properly tightened during vehicle production.
Fix: : Inspect and ensure all affected seats and belts are correctly secured and tightened to specification.
Recalled models: M5 · 3 vehicles
The material quality of the screws used for seat belts and rear seats may not be to specifications.
The material quality of seat and seatbelt screws may not be according to specification.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the screws will be replaced in specific locations on the seat belts or rear seats.
Recalled models: M5 · 38 vehicles
Incorrect routing of the gearbox wiring harness
An incorrect routing of the gearbox wiring harness could lead to wiring harness damage
Fix: On the affected vehicles the transmission wiring harness will be reworked
Recalled models: M5 · 293 vehicles
The flange of the high pressure fuel pumps may not have been attached to the cylinder head correctly
The flange of the HPFP may not have been attached to the cylinder head according to specifications.
Fix: Both High Pressure Fuel Pumps will be replaced.
Recalled models: M5 · 3 vehicles
Distance between sensor and in-tank fuel line could be too small
The fault affects the fuel level sensor within the fuel tank.The distance between the sensor and an in-tank fuel line could be too small which could allow the sensor to contact the fuel line and in some cases become stuck. If the fuel sensor becomes stuck the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster displays a larger amount of fuel than is actually in the tank. Therefore the tank could become empty leading to the engine stalling without prior warning.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the fuel line supply unit system will be reworked.
Recalled models: M5 · 274 vehicles
Risk of fire
The positive battery cable routed from the vehicle battery to the engine bay consists of one cable in the luggage compartment and one cable in the underbody. Both cable are connected by a screw connection and covered by a plastic cover. In single cases the plastic cover may have been fitted incorrectly during the vehicle production. Over time an incorrectly fitted cover could cause the screw connections to come loose leading to an increased resistance also humidity may affect the connection and cause high resistance and drop in current. This can lead to the vehicle not starting and in extreme cases the connection could over heat leading to the possibility of a fire in the luggage area.
Fix: The clips on the battery will be checked the cover replaced and sealed.
Recalled models: M5 · 128,701 vehicles
Checking a BMW M5 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.