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Bmw 520 - 2006

349.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2006 is 371.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2006. Sample size: 2,129 cars, 4,473 tests and 15,619 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 2,129 cars

The 2006 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of 349 per 100 vehicles, which is slightly better than the yearly average of 369 per 100, reflecting a 5.4% improvement. Notably, this model excels in the categories of Lights & Electrics and Body/Structure, with defects significantly lower than the average. However, it struggles with brake issues, showing a higher defect rate compared to the average, and has more frequent steering-related problems as well. Mileage trends indicate that defect rates increase with higher mileage, particularly beyond 124,000 miles, where the BMW 520 shows a notable increase in defects.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 2,129 cars

Categories

Brakes
▼ 27.4% worse
196.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 154.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▼ 53.0% worse
30.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.2 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▼ 3.6% worse
28.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.7 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 29.3% better
78.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 111.1 / 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
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 5.0% better
298.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 314.5 / 100 tests
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 62.5% better
22.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.5 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 20.3% better
9.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.8 / 100 tests
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 25.5% better
33.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 44.7 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour to an extent likely to obscure the vision of other road users
  • Exhaust emits excessive dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 513 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)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,070
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,705
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,286
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 839
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 637
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 512
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 465
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 372
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 338
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 301

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 465
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 224
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 219
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
FAIL
Occurrences: 184
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 174
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 162
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 156
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 137
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 127
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 79