Bmw 1500 vs Bmw 520: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Bmw 1500
100%
MOT pass rate · 9 vehicles
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 1500 (100%) 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 1500 | Bmw 520 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 100% ✓ | 78% |
| MOT failure rate | 0% ✓ | 22% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.0 ✓ | 1.6 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 0% ✓ | 3% |
| Average mileage | 51,530 mi | 134,460 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 9 | 156,398 |
Most common faults
Bmw 1500
- Central propshaft bearing is worn
- Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn subframe bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))
- Offside Rear Lower valance is corroded
- Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))
- Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced spare wheel well (6.1.1 (c) (i))
- Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
Bmw 520
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 1500 (100%) and Bmw 520 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 1500 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.