BMW 520 MOT pass rate: 81.0% (71,728 tests, 2025)

The BMW 520 passed 81.0% of its 71,728 MOT tests in 2025 — 3.5 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 11 years old with 119,032 miles on the clock.

81.0%Pass rate (2025)

71,728MOT tests analysed

119,032 miMedian mileage at test

11 yrsMedian age at test

How the 520 compares

BMW 520

81.0%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

BMW average (all models)

83.0%

What fails most on the BMW 520

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 520:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Suspension	7,615	26.3%
2	Tyres	6,564	22.7%
3	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	5,528	19.1%
4	Brakes	4,076	14.1%
5	Visibility	1,852	6.4%
6	Steering	1,189	4.1%

Pre-MOT checklist for 520 owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
Replace smeared wiper blades and top up washer fluid — both are test items

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

520 pass rate by registration year

Strongest age-adjusted years: 2008, 2014. Full ranking and method: BMW 520 years to avoid.

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2005	1,584	67.7%	+3.2 pts	167,283
2006	5,964	69.3%	+4.9 pts	167,654
2007	9,059	70.4%	+5.3 pts	159,130
2008	8,193	75.1%	+9.9 pts	150,792
2009	11,710	74.2%	+7.8 pts	142,481
2010	12,240	75.8%	+8.4 pts	136,602
2011	22,726	76.7%	+7.5 pts	134,267
2012	18,955	76.4%	+5.2 pts	123,073
2013	19,777	80.7%	+7.4 pts	113,179
2014	34,701	84.2%	+8.4 pts	106,820
2015	36,695	86.0%	+7.3 pts	94,524
2016	35,969	87.4%	+6.0 pts	81,004
2017	4,386	87.0%	+3.0 pts	73,600

Check a specific 520 before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other BMW models

3 Series77.7% pass rate · 346,191 tests 11883.0% pass rate · 151,434 tests X185.0% pass rate · 105,826 tests 11678.5% pass rate · 100,371 tests X383.1% pass rate · 88,755 tests 1 Series81.7% pass rate · 77,207 tests X582.4% pass rate · 76,168 tests 5 Series85.7% pass rate · 71,923 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 520?

In 2025, 81.0% of 71,728 first MOT tests on the BMW 520 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the 520 fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (26.3% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the BMW 520 reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 81.0% it performs above the national average at a median age of 11 years and 119,032 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.