Skip to main content

Bmw 528 - 1997

377.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 528, model year 1997. Sample size: 107 cars, 217 tests and 819 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 107 cars

The 1997 BMW 528 has an overall defect rate of 377 per 100 vehicles, which is 12.8% higher than the average for that year. Notably, this model shows a significantly better performance in the Body/Structure category, with a defect rate of 45 compared to the average of 79. However, it has higher defect rates in several other categories, including Brakes, Visibility, Lights & Electrics, and Wheels, Suspensions & Axles, all of which exceed their yearly averages. Mileage trends indicate that the defect rate spikes at lower mileages but remains relatively stable for higher mileages, particularly in the 31,000–62,000 miles range. Overall, while the BMW 528 excels in structural integrity, it faces challenges in critical operational areas.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 107 cars

More model years for Bmw 528

1997 1998 1999 2000 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016

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
▼ 30.6% worse
184.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
Steering
▼ 14.2% worse
31.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • 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
▼ 20.6% worse
30.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • 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
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▼ 39.2% worse
91.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • 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
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 21.3% worse
304.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
  • 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 joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 46.1% better
45.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
  • A main load-bearing structural member: fractured or deformed such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
Equipment
▲ 20.8% better
17.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • 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
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▲ 16.9% better
50.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 600 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: 81
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 72
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 67
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 46
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 37
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 27
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 25

Serious faults (Top 10)

Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 6