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Bmw 520 - 2009

235.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2009 is 311.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2009. Sample size: 4,332 cars, 9,310 tests and 21,964 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 4,332 cars

The 2009 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of approximately 236 defects per 100 vehicles, which is significantly better than the average of 310 defects per 100 vehicles for cars of the same year, indicating a 24% lower defect rate. Notably, the model excels in categories such as Steering and Lights & Electrics, where it shows a considerable decrease in defects compared to the average. Mileage trends reveal that defect rates increase with mileage, particularly after 124,000 miles, which is consistent with general vehicle aging patterns. Overall, this model demonstrates strong performance in key areas, making it a reliable choice within its category.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 4,332 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
▲ 11.2% better
104.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 117.5 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▲ 25.2% better
12.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.3 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • 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
  • A steering ball joint: worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment
Visibility
▲ 8.5% better
21.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.4 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 40.7% better
48.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.9 / 100 tests
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 22.2% better
233.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 299.8 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Body/Structure
▲ 55.4% better
18.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 41.5 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • 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
Equipment
▲ 38.6% better
5.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 8.3 / 100 tests
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • A seat belt:
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▲ 15.7% better
29.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 34.4 / 100 tests
  • Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
  • 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
  • Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour to an extent likely to obscure the vision of other road users
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 454 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)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 3,450
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 2,433
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,227
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,167
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,064
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 731
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 682
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 591
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 589
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 492

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 591
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 367
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 355
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 332
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 238
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 208
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 157
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
FAIL
Occurrences: 140
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 126
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 113