BMW 520 Series vs BMW 1 Series: MOT reliability compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
17.5%
BMW 1 Series MOT failure rate, 4.0 pts lower than BMW 520 Series
BMW 1 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 17.5% of BMW 1 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 4.0 point gap.
| Metric | BMW 520 Series | BMW 1 Series |
|---|---|---|
| MOT failure rate | 21.5% | 17.5% |
| Tests analysed | 1,671,688 | 995,170 |
| Most common failure | Suspension (31.2%) | Tyres (33.1%) |
Questions and answers
Which is more reliable, BMW 520 Series or BMW 1 Series?
BMW 1 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 17.5% of BMW 1 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 4.0 point gap.
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.
What is the MOT failure rate of the BMW 1 Series?
17.5% of BMW 1 Series MOT tests result in a failure, from 995,170 tests.