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Bmw 520 vs Bmw Active hybrid se: reliability comparison

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

Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Bmw Active hybrid se
86%
MOT pass rate · 37 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw Active hybrid se is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 520 Bmw Active hybrid se
MOT pass rate 78% 86% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 14% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 0.9 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% ✓ 4%
Average mileage 134,460 mi 88,899 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 156,398 37

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 Active hybrid se

  1. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Bmw Active hybrid se is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw Active hybrid se 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.