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Bmw 430d vs Bmw 520: reliability comparison

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

Bmw 430d
92%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 430d (92%) 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 430d Bmw 520
MOT pass rate 92% ✓ 78%
MOT failure rate 8% ✓ 22%
Faults & advisories per test 0.5 ✓ 1.6
Dangerous-fault share 17% 3% ✓
Average mileage 72,083 mi 134,460 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 2 156,398

Most common faults

Bmw 430d

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge just starting to wear on inside edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge just starting to wear on inside edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.15mm - 255/35R19 (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  6. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (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 430d (92%) and Bmw 520 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 430d 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.