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Bmw 520 vs Bmw R90s: 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 R90s
91%
MOT pass rate · 227 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R90s is the more reliable of the two — 91% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 520 Bmw R90s
MOT pass rate 78% 91% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 9% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 0.3 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 134,460 mi 45,471 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 156,398 227

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 R90s

  1. Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
  2. Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
  3. Headlamp aim too low (1.6)
  4. Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
  5. Front wheel bearings have slight free play (2.3.5b)
  6. Rear wheel bearings have slight free play (2.4.A.2c)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R90s is the more reliable of the two — 91% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw R90s 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.