BMW 520 Series vs BMW 316 Series: MOT reliability compared
Updated 05 September 2026.
21.5%
BMW 520 Series MOT failure rate, 9.3 pts lower than BMW 316 Series
BMW 520 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 21.5% of BMW 520 Series MOTs fail versus 30.8% for BMW 316 Series, a 9.3 point gap.
| Metric | BMW 520 Series | BMW 316 Series |
|---|---|---|
| MOT failure rate | 21.5% | 30.8% |
| Tests analysed | 1,671,688 | 1,213,435 |
| Most common failure | Suspension (31.2%) | Suspension (41.2%) |
Questions and answers
Which is more reliable, BMW 520 Series or BMW 316 Series?
BMW 520 Series is the more reliable MOT performer: 21.5% of BMW 520 Series MOTs fail versus 30.8% for BMW 316 Series, a 9.3 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 316 Series?
30.8% of BMW 316 Series MOT tests result in a failure, from 1,213,435 tests.