2013 BMW M5 4.4L Petrol · M55 WAW

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 28 May 2025 with no defects or advisories recorded, and the four consecutive test passes dating back to June 2022 demonstrate a clean and stable maintenance profile. The absence of any advisories over this four-year window suggests that items such as tyres, brakes, suspension components, exhaust integrity, lighting, and visible corrosion have all been considered satisfactory by the tester at each annual examination. For a prospective buyer, this consistency is reassuring, particularly on a high-performance saloon where wear rates can be elevated, and it indicates that the car has likely been reasonably well maintained or driven within its mechanical tolerances. With 79,076 miles recorded over approximately 13 years, the vehicle averages around 6,083 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age and broadly consistent with moderate private or mixed-use operation. There are no recorded gaps suggesting long periods off the road, nor is there evidence of rapid mileage accumulation that might point to heavy commercial or high-intensity driving. That said, BMW M5s of this era are often used enthusiastically, and consistent motorway or spirited driving places additional thermal and mechanical load on the twin-turbocharged V8 drivetrain, gearbox, and rear differential, so the relatively modest annual figure should be viewed positively rather than as a reason for complacency. Given the clean MOT record, the buyer inspection should focus on age- and specification-related wear items that are not always flagged during a standard test. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking or perishing from age, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar age regardless of tread depth; brake discs should be checked for lipping, surface corrosion, or binding calipers following periods of light use, particularly if the vehicle has been stood for any length of time. The 12V battery and associated electrical systems warrant attention, as modern BMWs are sensitive to voltage drop and parasitic drain, and a weak battery can produce misleading fault codes. Brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox and differential oils should all be confirmed as recently serviced to schedule, as these fluids degrade with time rather than mileage alone. On a road test, the buyer should listen for any suspension knocks or clonks over uneven surfaces, which can indicate worn control arm bushes, top mounts, or coil spring seats, all known wear points on E60/E61-era M5s. The V8 engine should be allowed to reach full operating temperature before assessment, with careful attention to any signs of smoke from the exhaust, irregular idling, or hesitation, as well as any unusual noises from the S-MCT transmission during low-speed manoeuvres and paddle shifts. Steering response should be precise and free of vibration, and the dynamic stability control, adaptive damper settings, and driving mode selectors should all be verified as fully operational. Confirming a complete BMW service history with supporting invoices will provide further reassurance that the substantial maintenance demands of this high-output model have been properly addressed.