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Bmw 520 - 2001

354.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2001 is 372.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2001. Sample size: 244 cars, 500 tests and 1,772 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 244 cars

The 2001 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of 354 per 100 vehicles, which is slightly better than the average for its year, at 369 per 100 vehicles. Notably, the model excels in the Body/Structure category, with a defect rate of 32%, significantly lower than the average of 70%. However, it falls short in the Equipment and Other categories, where its defect rates are higher than average, at 19% and 94%, respectively. Mileage trends show that defect rates increase with mileage, especially noticeable in the 62,000 to 93,000 miles range, where the model's rate jumps to 502 per 100 vehicles. Overall, while this BMW model performs well in body integrity, it struggles with equipment and miscellaneous issues compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 244 cars

More model years for Bmw 520

1995 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 6.8% worse
178.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 167.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 21.6% better
19.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.0 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▼ 3.4% worse
30.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.4 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 3.5% worse
91.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 88.1 / 100 tests
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 16.7% better
243.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 292.4 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Body/Structure
▲ 55.5% better
32.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 71.9 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 19.3% worse
19.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.1 / 100 tests
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
Other
▼ 69.1% worse
94.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 55.6 / 100 tests
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions test unable to be completed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 537 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 200
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 185
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 141
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 80
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 77
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 73
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 53
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 43

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 43
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 27
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 12