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Bmw 520 - 2002

351.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2002 is 375.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2002. Sample size: 318 cars, 693 tests and 2,434 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 318 cars

The 2002 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of 351 per 100 vehicles, which is 6% lower than the average for its year, indicating better reliability in some respects. Notably, the model excels in steering and body structure, showing significantly lower defect rates compared to the average. However, it experiences a higher rate of defects in other categories, particularly with a notable 91% defect rate in unspecified areas. Mileage trends suggest that as the vehicle ages, defect rates increase, particularly for those with over 124,000 miles.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 318 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

Other models from Bmw

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 4.7% worse
174.9 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
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 21.3% better
19.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.3 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Excessive wear or play in a universal joint or a flexible coupling excessively deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 18.9% better
24.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.6 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 2.6% better
93.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 96.0 / 100 tests
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • 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
  • 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
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 10.9% better
262.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 295.2 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • 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 pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 66.0% better
23.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.9 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
Equipment
▲ 16.8% better
12.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.9 / 100 tests
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • 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
  • 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
Other
▼ 70.7% worse
91.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.6 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • 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: 270
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 246
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 205
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 182
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 113
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 106
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 84
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 62
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 48

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 48
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 36
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
FAIL
Occurrences: 18