Know Your MOT
23.0%fail rate

BMW 523 common MOT failures and failure rate

What a BMW 523 fails its MOT on most often, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 682 MOT tests in a recent DVSA sample.

What it fails on, and the fix

Suspension36.3% of failures
Brakes36.3% of failures
Lamps & electrical25.5% of failures
Tyres13.4% of failures
Other10.2% of failures
Usually bodywork or inspection, not a single bolt-on part.
Exhaust & emissions9.6% of failures

About 23.0% of MOT tests recorded on the BMW 523 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 36.3% of the BMW 523's failures, followed by suspension, brakes, lamps & electrical, tyres. 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