Bmw 520 vs Bmw R50: 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 R50
92%
MOT pass rate · 88 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R50 is the more reliable of the two — 92% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 520 | Bmw R50 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 92% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 8% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.6 | 0.3 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 134,460 mi | 42,461 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 156,398 | 88 |
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 R50
- Steering headbearing has slight free play (2.2.2)
- Rear Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
- Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
- Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
- Front Wheel has a slightly eccentric bead rim. (4.2.2)
- Rear Wheel corroded but not significantly reducing the original strength (4.2.1a)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R50 is the more reliable of the two — 92% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw R50 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.