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Bmw 520 vs Bmw 735: reliability comparison

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

Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
More reliable
Bmw 735
73%
MOT pass rate · 5,693 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw 520 is the more reliable of the two — 78% pass first time versus 73%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 520 Bmw 735
MOT pass rate 78% ✓ 73%
MOT failure rate 22% ✓ 27%
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 ✓ 1.9
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 134,460 mi 140,942 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 156,398 5,693

Most common faults

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))

Bmw 735

  1. Oil leak
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Bmw 520 is the more reliable of the two — 78% pass first time versus 73%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw 735 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.