BMW 520 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 7,098 MOT tests from 534 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 520 has the same fault.

BMW 520's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 599/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 520 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

BMW 520 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	750/999Very good	78,501 miles	3,667 vehicles
N/A	N/A	734/999Very good	77,841 miles	7,146 vehicles
N/A	N/A	711/999Very good	77,657 miles	10,308 vehicles
N/A	N/A	684/999Good	78,636 miles	9,011 vehicles
N/A	N/A	572/999Above average	82,588 miles	4,748 vehicles
N/A	N/A	567/999Above average	82,177 miles	3,594 vehicles
N/A	N/A	512/999Above average	86,587 miles	673 vehicles
N/A	N/A	508/999Above average	106,249 miles	652 vehicles
N/A	N/A	485/999Average	87,818 miles	957 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	84,372 miles	1,055 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 7,098 MOT tests from 534 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

534

MOT tests

7,098

Pass rate

81.7%

Median mileage

126,827 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 520 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 629 out of 999.

Common BMW 520 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,116 advisory comments and 202 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 396 advisory comments and 22 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 198 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 197 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 146 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 21 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 19 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (3.5 (A))

BMW 520 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2017	15	122	89.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	72	661	88%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	79	800	88.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	82	938	84.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	63	769	83%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	40	570	81.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	49	723	78.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	26	461	75.9%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	28	503	78.5%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2008	16	273	81.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2007	22	450	76%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2006	10	241	72.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used BMW 520

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a BMW 520?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 520s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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