BMW 520

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 31 model years from 152,076 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

152,076

Highest Pass Rate

2019 (93%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 520

The BMW 520 was MOT tested 152,076 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 31 model years (1991 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93% from 260 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 64%. With a 29 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 520s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1991) averages 120,049 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 21,198 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the BMW brand average of 88%, the 520 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable BMW models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the BMW 520?

vs average of all models-2% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-8% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread29 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW 520 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	97%	61	21,198 mi
2020	91%	153	37,784 mi
2019	93%	260	53,629 mi
2018	89%	408	59,377 mi
2017	90%	3,033	78,699 mi
2016	90%	21,858	88,137 mi
2015	89%	22,398	100,237 mi
2014	87%	22,280	111,440 mi
2013	86%	13,541	117,221 mi
2012	84%	13,792	126,086 mi
2011	82%	15,882	135,205 mi
2010	82%	8,647	137,583 mi
2009	81%	8,080	144,392 mi
2008	80%	5,590	153,055 mi
2007	79%	6,483	162,310 mi
2006	77%	4,128	171,451 mi
2005	72%	1,137	170,402 mi
2004	78%	502	123,517 mi
2003	75%	752	112,691 mi
2002	74%	599	119,674 mi
2001	75%	416	118,034 mi
2000	78%	219	119,331 mi
1999	78%	368	129,821 mi
1998	65%	366	131,359 mi
1997	69%	183	116,662 mi
1996	64%	114	118,652 mi
1995	75%	336	123,709 mi
1994	78%	201	118,772 mi
1993	74%	138	111,214 mi
1992	71%	99	101,159 mi
1991	79%	52	120,049 mi

Questions about the BMW 520

Is the BMW 520 reliable?

Across its 31 model years in our data (1991 to 2021), the BMW 520 averages an 80% MOT pass rate, from 152,076 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2019 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 93%.

Which year BMW 520 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 BMW 520 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 64%, a 29 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.