Know Your MOT
18.1%fail rate

BMW 520 common MOT failures and failure rate

What a BMW 520 fails its MOT on most often, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 11,948 MOT tests in a recent DVSA sample.

What it fails on, and the fix

Suspension31.4% of failures
Tyres31.4% of failures
Lamps & electrical17.3% of failures
Brakes15.2% of failures
Other9.7% of failures
Usually bodywork or inspection, not a single bolt-on part.
Visibility/wipers8.3% of failures

About 18.1% of MOT tests recorded on the BMW 520 in this DVSA sample end in a failure. The pattern is consistent: the same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is suspension, which makes up 31.4% of the BMW 520's failures, followed by suspension, tyres, lamps & electrical, brakes. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

Other models

BMW 3 Series MOT failures19.9% failure rateBMW 118 MOT failures17.1% failure rateBMW 116 MOT failures18.3% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures22.8% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain