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Bmw 520 - 2003

348.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2003. Sample size: 384 cars, 842 tests and 2,934 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 384 cars

The 2003 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of 348 per 100 vehicles, which is 8% lower than the average for cars of the same year. Notably, this model performs better in categories such as steering, lights and electrics, body/structure, and equipment, with defects significantly lower than average. However, it shows a higher occurrence of defects in the "Other" category compared to the yearly average. In terms of mileage trends, the defect rate increases with higher mileage, peaking at 480 per 100 for vehicles over 124,000 miles. Overall, while it excels in several areas, the BMW 520 faces specific challenges that should be monitored.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 384 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
▼ 3.7% worse
175.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 27.4% better
18.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 19.5% better
24.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
Lights & Electrics
▲ 22.9% better
79.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • 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
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 9.3% better
273.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 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
▲ 59.5% better
26.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 25.0% better
10.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • 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
▼ 69.4% worse
89.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • 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
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 538 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: 312
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 291
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 268
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 193
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 150
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 134
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 84
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 83
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 72
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 71

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 69
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 45
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 35
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 26
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 23
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 18