BMW 520 (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 61 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

97%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

2000cc Petrol

Great Choice

97% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 15 points above average.

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Petrol2000cc5 years old61 tests21k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2000cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

97% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

97% of MOT tests on BMW 520s from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 61 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 21,198 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models406th of 3,336(top 13%)

Rank among BMW models120th of 1,548(top 8%)

vs average of all models+15%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+5%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+9%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

21,198

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 520 had 21,198 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2021 scores 97%. 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

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,853/year

93%

-4%

Hyundai Tucson

2019 · 1591cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

-7%

Mercedes A

2021 · 1991cc Petrol

£2,086/year

94%

-3%

Volvo XC40

2020 · 2000cc Petrol

£2,086/year

93%

-4%

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About the 2021 BMW 520

The 2021 BMW 520 is a premium car. Our records list a 2000cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 61 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 21,198 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 520 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 BMW 520 Fuel Costs

The 2000cc 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 2021 BMW 520?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 97% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2021 BMW 520

At 5 years old, the BMW 520 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. Note: with only 61 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2021 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(2021)	97%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Hyundai Tucson(2019)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Mercedes A(2021)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same
Volvo XC40(2020)	93%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same

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 2021 BMW 520

Is the 2021 BMW 520 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 97% of MOT tests on 2021 BMW 520s ended in a pass, from 61 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 BMW 520 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 520?

97% of 61 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 520 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 406th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 13%).

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 2021 BMW 520?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 520 is 21,198 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.