Bmw 520 vs Bmw Dakar: 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 Dakar
85%
MOT pass rate · 3 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 520 (78%) and Bmw Dakar (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 520 | Bmw Dakar |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 85% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 15% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.6 | 0.8 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 134,460 mi | 34,759 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 156,398 | 3 |
Most common faults
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))
Bmw Dakar
- Rear wheel bearings have slight free play (2.4.A.2c)
- Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
- Drive chain slightly tight (6.1.7 (k) (i))
- Rear Rear wheel bearings have excessive free play (2.4.A.2c)
- Front wheel bearings are slightly rough (2.3.5b)
- Rear Rear wheel bearings have slight free play (2.4.A.2c)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Bmw 520 (78%) and Bmw Dakar (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw Dakar 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.