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Bmw 520 vs Bmw X challenge: 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 X challenge
91%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 520 (78%) and Bmw X challenge (91%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 520 Bmw X challenge
MOT pass rate 78% 91% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 9% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.6 0.5 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 134,460 mi 18,917 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 156,398 1

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 X challenge

  1. Exhaust noisy (7.1.2)
  2. Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i))
  3. Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
  4. Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))
  5. Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 520 (78%) and Bmw X challenge (91%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw X challenge 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.