BMW 535 (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 2,284 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,658

£222/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£445

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2,658/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol2979cc10 years old2,284 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,658

Per month£222/mo

Per week£51/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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

92% of MOT tests on BMW 535s from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 2,284 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 76,181 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models129th of 539(top 24%)

Rank among BMW models465th of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+7%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,181

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 535 had 76,181 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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BMW 535 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	87%	174	66,991 mi
2016	92%	2,284	76,181 mi
2015	90%	2,747	83,432 mi
2014	91%	1,913	94,461 mi
2013	89%	769	100,182 mi
2012	91%	633	106,253 mi
2011	89%	1,151	113,247 mi
2010	84%	809	107,888 mi
2009	84%	540	145,779 mi
2008	86%	1,119	153,295 mi
2007	87%	1,748	157,339 mi
2006	85%	1,653	158,087 mi
2005	86%	1,498	158,153 mi
2004	83%	360	160,887 mi
2002	84%	75	121,848 mi
2001	86%	58	123,957 mi
2000	87%	113	121,846 mi
1999	82%	171	115,664 mi
1998	81%	302	122,677 mi
1997	80%	122	122,636 mi
1991	74%	39	153,767 mi
1990	84%	73	146,067 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 Series

2014 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,808/year

87%

-5%

BMW 5 Series

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

91%

-1%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+1%

Audi TT

2016 · 2480cc Petrol

£2,658/year

92%

same

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About the 2016 BMW 535

The 2016 BMW 535 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2979cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 2,284 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 24% of all 2016 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 76,181 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 535 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2016 BMW 535 Fuel Costs

The 2979cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 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 2016 BMW 535?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,658 (£222/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 535 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 535s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 535

At 10 years old, the BMW 535 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.

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 10 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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

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

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 535 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 535(2016)	92%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,658
BMW 3 Series(2014)	87%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,808+£150
BMW 5 Series(2018)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£245
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2018)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£245
Audi TT(2016)	92%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,658same

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 2016 BMW 535

Is the 2016 BMW 535 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2016 BMW 535s ended in a pass, from 2,284 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 BMW 535 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,658 a year (£222 a month): £1,958 fuel, £445 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 2016 BMW 535?

92% of 2,284 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW 535 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 129th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top 24%).

Which year BMW 535 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2016 BMW 535 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 1997 the lowest at 80%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 535?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 BMW 535 is 76,181 miles, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.