BMW 118 Series vs BMW 520 Series: MOT reliability compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
18.5%
BMW 118 Series MOT failure rate, 3.0 pts lower than BMW 520 Series
BMW 118 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 18.5% of BMW 118 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 3.0 point gap.
| Metric | BMW 118 Series | BMW 520 Series |
|---|---|---|
| MOT failure rate | 18.5% | 21.5% |
| Tests analysed | 1,955,032 | 1,671,688 |
| Most common failure | Tyres (32.0%) | Suspension (31.2%) |
Questions and answers
Which is more reliable, BMW 118 Series or BMW 520 Series?
BMW 118 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 18.5% of BMW 118 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 3.0 point gap.
What is the MOT failure rate of the BMW 118 Series?
18.5% of BMW 118 Series MOT tests result in a failure, from 1,955,032 tests.
What is the MOT failure rate of the BMW 520 Series?
21.5% of BMW 520 Series MOT tests result in a failure, from 1,671,688 tests.