Is the Bmw 520 reliable?

The Bmw 520 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 31 years, based on 152,076 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 97% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 520 is best?

The 2021 Bmw 520 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 64%. There's a 33 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 520

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 31 years from 152,076 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

152,076

Best Year

2021 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 520

The Bmw 520 has been tested 152,076 times in 2026 MOT data across 31 model years (1991 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 97% pass rate from 61 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 64%. With a 33 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 520s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

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)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Bmw 520?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

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

Best to worst year spread33 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