BMW 520 I MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 520 I. Check any 520 I by registration number below.

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89.3%

Avg Pass Rate

-0.7%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 520 I — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 520 I has an average MOT pass rate of 89.3%, which is 0.7 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 520 I is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

Before buying a used BMW 520 I, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 520 I performs at MOT across different model years.

2005

Based on 115 vehicles

91.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

165k mi

2004

Based on 500 vehicles

93.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

172k mi

2003

Based on 373 vehicles

94.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

195k mi

2002

Based on 187 vehicles

88.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

2001

Based on 275 vehicles

89.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

223k mi

2000

Based on 222 vehicles

91.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

203k mi

1999

Based on 370 vehicles

92.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 10yr

187k mi

1998

Based on 505 vehicles

88.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1997

Based on 519 vehicles

88.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1996

Based on 330 vehicles

88.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1995

Based on 175 vehicles

85.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1994

Based on 121 vehicles

88.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1993

Based on 94 vehicles

83.0%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

1992

Based on 103 vehicles

89.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1991

Based on 104 vehicles

87.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

1990

Based on 104 vehicles

86.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 520 I

BMW 520 I — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 520 I MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 520 I?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 520 I is 89.3% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 520 I?

Check the detailed breakdown on this page for specific failure data by year range.

Is the BMW 520 I reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 89.3%, the BMW 520 I is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 520 I?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 520 I?

Typical mileage for the BMW 520 I: 164,610 miles at 10 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 520 I to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 520 I's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.