BMW 520 Series vs BMW 116 Series: MOT reliability compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
19.2%
BMW 116 Series MOT failure rate, 2.3 pts lower than BMW 520 Series
BMW 116 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 19.2% of BMW 116 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 2.3 point gap.
| Metric | BMW 520 Series | BMW 116 Series |
|---|---|---|
| MOT failure rate | 21.5% | 19.2% |
| Tests analysed | 1,671,688 | 1,657,623 |
| Most common failure | Suspension (31.2%) | Tyres (29.2%) |
Questions and answers
Which is more reliable, BMW 520 Series or BMW 116 Series?
BMW 116 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 19.2% of BMW 116 Series MOTs fail versus 21.5% for BMW 520 Series, a 2.3 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 116 Series?
19.2% of BMW 116 Series MOT tests result in a failure, from 1,657,623 tests.