BMW 520 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 183 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,761

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1991cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,761/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Petrol1991cc29 years old183 tests117k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1991cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,761

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

69% of MOT tests on BMW 520s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 183 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 116,662 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models246th of 306(bottom 20%)

Rank among BMW models1532nd of 1,548(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-6%(75% avg)

vs BMW average-19%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,662

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 BMW 520 had 116,662 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1997 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+4%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+2%

BMW 3 Series

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,561/year

79%

+10%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,561/year

75%

+6%

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About the 1997 BMW 520

The 1997 BMW 520 is a premium car. Our records list a 1991cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 183 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 20% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 116,662 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 520 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 BMW 520 Fuel Costs

The 1991cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 BMW 520?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,761 (£230/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

BMW 520 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.

Buying a Used 1997 BMW 520

At 29 years old, the BMW 520 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 117k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 BMW 520 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 520(1997)	69%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£433
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200
BMW 3 Series(1998)	79%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 BMW 520

Is the 1997 BMW 520 reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1997 BMW 520s ended in a pass, from 183 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 BMW 520 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,761 a year (£230 a month): £1,631 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 BMW 520?

69% of 183 MOT tests on the 1997 BMW 520 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 246th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 20%).

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% and the 1996 the lowest at 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 BMW 520?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 BMW 520 is 116,662 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.