Is the BMW 5 Series ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 218,898 MOT tests, around 39% of BMW 5 Series still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 43% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 18%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 77% diesel, 15% petrol, 6% hybrid (petrol). Diesel 5 Series are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol 5 Series are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every hybrid (petrol) 5 Series in the data (2012 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 39%
- Likely charged
- 43%
- Depends on the car
- 18%
- MOT tests analysed
- 218,898
Check a specific 5 Series
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
5 Series ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 5 Series of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) | Hybrid (diesel) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | – | Likely compliant2 tested | Likely compliant132 tested | Likely compliant70 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant3 tested | Likely compliant53 tested | Likely compliant203 tested | Likely compliant226 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant1,488 tested | Likely compliant1,932 tested | Likely compliant1,349 tested | Likely compliant4,602 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant7,713 tested | Likely compliant4,735 tested | Likely compliant4,043 tested | Likely compliant521 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant10,316 tested | Likely compliant3,890 tested | Likely compliant5,391 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant12,455 tested | Likely compliant1,754 tested | Likely compliant1,368 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant15,432 tested | Likely compliant385 tested | Likely compliant3 tested | – |
| 2015 | Check exact car16,576 tested | Likely compliant598 tested | Likely compliant34 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car15,942 tested | Likely compliant391 tested | Likely compliant54 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged14,410 tested | Likely compliant402 tested | Likely compliant18 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged14,246 tested | Likely compliant444 tested | Likely compliant20 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged12,294 tested | Likely compliant552 tested | – | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged8,681 tested | Likely compliant652 tested | – | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged7,461 tested | Likely compliant485 tested | – | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged7,108 tested | Likely compliant774 tested | – | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged8,264 tested | Likely compliant983 tested | – | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged6,662 tested | Likely compliant1,146 tested | – | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,543 tested | Check Euro standard1,179 tested | – | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged2,110 tested | Check Euro standard1,594 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged1,281 tested | Check Euro standard1,596 tested | – | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged1,012 tested | Check Euro standard1,655 tested | – | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged402 tested | Check Euro standard1,479 tested | – | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged241 tested | Likely charged1,075 tested | – | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged144 tested | Likely charged984 tested | – | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged25 tested | Likely charged888 tested | – | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged22 tested | Likely charged435 tested | – | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged30 tested | Likely charged270 tested | – | – |
| 1995 | Likely charged44 tested | Likely charged304 tested | – | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged51 tested | Likely charged178 tested | – | – |
| 1993 | Likely charged19 tested | Likely charged130 tested | – | – |
| 1992 | – | Likely charged86 tested | – | – |
| 1991 | – | Likely charged76 tested | – | – |
| 1990 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged87 tested | – | – |
| 1989 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged87 tested | – | – |
| 1988 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged82 tested | – | – |
| 1987 | – | Likely charged165 tested | – | – |
| 1986 | – | Likely charged116 tested | – | – |
| 1985 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged94 tested | – | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 5 Series
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (77% of 5 Series tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (15% of 5 Series tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (6% of 5 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Hybrid (diesel) (2% of 5 Series tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
5 Series from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (18% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 5 Series fare at the MOT too: see the BMW 5 Series MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW 5 Series for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW 5 Series in this data were first registered between 1985 and 2022. 2018 was the most common year, with 19,597 tests (9% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
5 Series from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 86% of the time, at an average of 61,373 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 71% of the time with 132,170 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 5 Series likely to comply are from 2016. 15,432 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 85% of the time and averaged 77,028 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 5 Series likely to comply are from 2006. 1,146 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 67% of the time and averaged 156,343 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest hybrid (petrol) 5 Series likely to comply are from 2012. 20 of them were tested; 2012 cars passed first time 74% of the time and averaged 117,702 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 5 Series's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (2.6% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.5%); suspension: "fractured or broken" (2.2%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.4% of tests.
Overall, 79% of 5 Series passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 99,817 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 218,898 first MOT tests of the BMW 5 Series carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 218,898 MOT tests say about the BMW 5 Series and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW 5 Series ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 39% of 5 Series on the road are likely compliant and 43% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 5 Series years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 5 Series first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 5 Series ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 5 Series from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 5 Series is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 5 min readMOT retest rules: when it's free, partial or full priceFix a failed MOT within a day or two and the retest is often free; wait too long and you pay for a full test again. The three retest types explained.Read the guide
Is your 5 Series ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.