Is the 2016 BMW 535 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW 535s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,284 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW 535 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 535?

The 2016 BMW 535 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 2,284 tests in 2026. This ranks 148 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW 535 is most reliable?

The 2016 BMW 535 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 80%.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 535?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 535 is 76,181 miles, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 535 (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,284 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 10 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 535

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2979cc10 years old2,284 tests76k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2979cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,277

Per month£190/mo

Per week£44/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 535

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 10 years old, 92% of BMW 535s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,284 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 76,181 miles.

Got a BMW 535 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars148th of 586(top 25%)

Rank among BMW models468th of 1,564(top 30%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

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

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

76,181

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 535 has 76,181 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific BMW 535?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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

£2,247/year

87%

-5%

BMW 5 SERIES

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

91%

-1%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,037/year

93%

+1%

AUDI TT

2016 · 2480cc Petrol

£2,097/year

92%

same

Check a Specific Bmw 535

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2016 BMW 535

The 2016 BMW 535 is a premium performance with a 2979cc petrol engine. 2,284 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 25% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 76,181 miles at 10 years old, BMW 535 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

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 £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 535?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 (£190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2016 BMW 535's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 535(2016)	92%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2277
BMW 3 SERIES(2014)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£30
BMW 5 SERIES(2018)	91%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£240
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2018)	93%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£240
AUDI TT(2016)	92%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2097-£180

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.