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Bmw 1000 vs Bmw 520: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Bmw 1000
85%
MOT pass rate · 22 vehicles
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 1000 (85%) and Bmw 520 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 1000 Bmw 520
MOT pass rate 85% ✓ 78%
MOT failure rate 15% ✓ 22%
Faults & advisories per test 0.3 ✓ 1.6
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 50,656 mi 134,460 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 22 156,398

Most common faults

Bmw 1000

  1. Headlamp aim too low (1.6)
  2. Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
  3. Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn (3.2.A1l)
  4. Drive chain sprocket carrier worn but not considered excessive (6.2.1e)
  5. Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)
  6. Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Bmw 520

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 1000 (85%) and Bmw 520 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 1000 report Full Bmw 520 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.