Skip to main content

Bmw 520 - 2018

89.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2018 is 123.2 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 520, model year 2018. Sample size: 200 cars, 424 tests and 378 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 200 cars

The 2018 BMW 520 has an overall defect rate of 89 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 120 per 100, marking a 25.7% improvement. This model shows consistent mileage-related trends, with higher defect rates in the lower mileage categories, particularly in the 62,000–93,000 miles range. Notably, the BMW 520 excels in several categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, where it performs considerably better than the average car. However, it does experience a higher incidence of defects in the body and structure category compared to the average. Overall, the BMW 520 stands out positively for its reliability in key areas while facing some challenges in others.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 200 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

Bmw 114 Bmw 116 Bmw 118 Bmw 120 Bmw 123 Bmw 125 Bmw 216 Bmw 218 Bmw 220 Bmw 316 Bmw 318 Bmw 320 Bmw 330 Bmw 335 Bmw 418 Bmw 420 Bmw 428 Bmw 430 Bmw 435 Bmw 440 Bmw 518 Bmw 520 Bmw 523 Bmw 525 Bmw 528 Bmw 530 Bmw 535 Bmw 630 Bmw 640 Bmw 645 Bmw 650 Bmw 728 Bmw 730 Bmw 740 Bmw 840 Bmw ALPINA Bmw I3 Bmw I4 Bmw IX3 Bmw M2 Bmw M3 Bmw M340D Bmw M4 Bmw M5 Bmw M6 Bmw X1 Bmw X2 Bmw X3 Bmw X4 Bmw X5 Bmw X6 Bmw X7 Bmw Z3 Bmw Z4

Categories

Brakes
▲ 47.2% better
36.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.8 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
Steering
▲ 100.0% better
0.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 5.0 / 100 tests
Visibility
▲ 48.9% better
7.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.9 / 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
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: and affecting the driver’s view of the road or of an obligatory external mirror
Lights & Electrics
▲ 67.6% better
5.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.6 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp: emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • A lens defective: which has no effect on emitted light
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 8.1% better
116.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 126.7 / 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 tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
Body/Structure
▼ 47.1% worse
7.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 5.1 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft flexible coupling: excessively deteriorated
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
Equipment
▲ 59.1% better
0.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.2 / 100 tests
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▲ 40.0% better
4.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 7.0 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
  • 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

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 307 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: 124
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 45
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 25
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A transmission shaft flexible coupling: excessively deteriorated
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 12
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 8

Serious faults (Top 10)

A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Brake lining or pad: worn down to wear indicator
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A wheel: with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 2