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
31
How reliable is the Bmw 520?
Bmw 520 by Year
| 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 |
Checking a specific Bmw 520?
Enter the reg plate to see its individual MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
About the Bmw 520
The Bmw 520 has been tested 152,076 times in 2024 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.
Click any year in the table above to see detailed running costs, individual reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.