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Bmw 218d vs Bmw 520: reliability comparison

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

Bmw 218d
89%
MOT pass rate · 9 vehicles
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 218d (89%) 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 218d Bmw 520
MOT pass rate 89% ✓ 78%
MOT failure rate 11% ✓ 22%
Faults & advisories per test 1.5 ✓ 1.6
Dangerous-fault share 4% 3% ✓
Average mileage 83,916 mi 134,460 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 9 156,398

Most common faults

Bmw 218d

  1. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  2. Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
  3. Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))
  4. Central Rear Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test
  5. Offside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip (3.2 (a) (i))
  6. Offside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3mm+ (1.1.13 (a) (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 218d (89%) and Bmw 520 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 218d 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.