BMW 520 reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults · 129,410 real DVSA tests · 2024
Across 129,410 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 83% of BMW 520 cars aged 8 to 12 years pass their MOT first time — ahead of the 73% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on body & structure and emissions & leaks.
MOT pass rate by age
Where the 520 tends to fail
Share of BMW 520 cars aged 8 to 12 years with no fault in each area (higher is better). The tick is the fleet average for the same age.
Holds up better than average on body & structure, emissions & leaks, steering.
Common questions
Is the BMW 520 reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the BMW 520 holds up well for its age: 83% of examples aged 8 to 12 years pass first time, against a 73% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 73% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 520?
First-time MOT pass rates for the BMW 520 in 2024: 4 to 7 years, 88%; 8 to 12 years, 83%; and 13 years and older, 71%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a BMW 520 MOT?
No single area stands out as a recurring weakness for the BMW 520 versus other cars of the same age — its MOT failures are spread across the usual wear items (tyres, brakes, lamps).