Is the 2016 BMW 523 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of BMW 523s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 42 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW 523 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,557 (£130/month), including £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 523?

The 2016 BMW 523 has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 42 tests in 2026. This ranks 135 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW 523 is most reliable?

The 2013 BMW 523 has the highest MOT pass rate at 100%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 68%.

BMW 523 (2016)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 523?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 523 is 55,120 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 42 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,557

£130/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1999cc Diesel

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1557/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Diesel1999cc10 years old42 tests55k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1999cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Based on 1999cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,557

Per month£130/mo

Per week£30/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 10 years old, 93% of BMW 523s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 42 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 55,120 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars135th of 586(top 23%)

Rank among BMW models421th of 1,564(top 27%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+8%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,120

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 523 has 55,120 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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?

The most reliable year is the 2013 model with a 100% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2016 sits between the two at 93%.

BMW 523 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2017 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-2%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,595/year

79%

-14%

FORD FOCUS

2018 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-4%

AUDI A3

2015 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

88%

-5%

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About the 2016 BMW 523

The 2016 BMW 523 is a premium with a 1999cc diesel engine. 42 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 23% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 55,120 miles at 10 years old, BMW 523 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 BMW 523 Fuel Costs

The 1999cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 523?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,557 (£130/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 523 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 523

At 10 years old, the BMW 523 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 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 100%. Note: with only 42 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 523's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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.

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 2016 BMW 523 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 523(2016)	93%	£1037	£265	Grp 18-32	£1557
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£207
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2014)	79%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1595+£38
FORD FOCUS(2018)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£57
AUDI A3(2015)	88%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£112

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.