Is the Bmw 523 reliable?

The Bmw 523 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 15 years, based on 5,500 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2013 with a 100% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 523 is best?

The 2013 Bmw 523 has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 68%. There's a 32 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 523

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 15 years from 5,500 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

5,500

Best Year

2013 (100%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 523

The Bmw 523 has been tested 5,500 times in 2026 MOT data across 15 model years (1996 to 2016), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel and LP.

Best and Worst Years

The 2013 model is the most reliable with a 100% pass rate from 68 tests. The 1998 model has the lowest at 68%. With a 32 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 523s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 123,219 miles, while the newest (2016) averages 55,120 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 523 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1999cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,557

Per month£130/mo

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

Full 2016 details

How reliable is the Bmw 523?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

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

Best to worst year spread32 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 523 by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	93%	42	55,120 mi
2013	100%	68	48,039 mi
2012	92%	51	54,895 mi
2011	84%	341	79,140 mi
2010	81%	480	87,591 mi
2009	80%	193	97,424 mi
2008	77%	244	112,799 mi
2007	76%	327	118,243 mi
2006	79%	494	122,075 mi
2005	80%	414	120,862 mi
2000	78%	496	136,987 mi
1999	71%	1,057	137,920 mi
1998	68%	885	130,239 mi
1997	78%	266	128,092 mi
1996	68%	142	123,219 mi