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BMW 530 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,799 MOT tests from 172 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 530 has the same fault.

BMW 530's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 582/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 530 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.

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Check a BMW 530 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

BMW 530 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A774/999Very good91,235 miles518 vehicles
N/AN/A765/999Very good91,189 miles1,075 vehicles
N/AN/A745/999Very good88,156 miles1,503 vehicles
N/AN/A725/999Very good91,842 miles1,283 vehicles
N/AN/A576/999Above average89,023 miles1,006 vehicles
N/AN/A552/999Above average88,329 miles888 vehicles
N/AN/A547/999Above average91,468 miles870 vehicles
N/AN/A482/999Average90,557 miles1,551 vehicles
N/AN/A471/999Average88,472 miles1,611 vehicles
N/AN/A471/999Average87,482 miles721 vehicles
N/AN/A455/999Average88,028 miles1,543 vehicles
N/AN/A424/999Average95,271 miles1,058 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 530?

Based on 2,799 MOT tests from 172 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

172

MOT tests

2,799

Pass rate

80.6%

Median mileage

135,878 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 530 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 574 out of 999.

Common BMW 530 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 534 advisory comments and 77 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: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 102 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 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 83 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 42 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 (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 33 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. 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 HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 40MM CIRCLE OUTSIDE ZONE 'A' (8.3.1D)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 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: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 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 wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Coil spring issues

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 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 REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

BMW 530 MOT reliability by year

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

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20161210389.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20151010285.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20141112285.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20131113588.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012810785%Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
20111014582.1%Ball joint wear, Tyre wear
20101930381.8%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2009915382.4%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20081121878.9%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20071323382%Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
20061429481.3%Tyre wear, Oil leak
2005712877.3%Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
2004613382%Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2003716872%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2002819874.2%Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2001514170.9%Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used BMW 530

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.

  • 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.

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

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

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

Buying a BMW 530?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 530s 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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