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BMW 520D M Sport Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free BMW 520D M Sport Auto car check

Is the BMW 520D M Sport Auto reliable? We analysed 11,688 real MOT tests across 3,454 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 11,688 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.0%
Typical Mileage
88,578mi
Annual Mileage
9,605mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The BMW 520D M Sport Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc and fuel system component leaking. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW 520D M Sport Auto.

BMW 520D M Sport Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a BMW 520D M Sport Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

BMW 520D M Sport Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a BMW 520D M Sport Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc 1
constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc 1
Fuel system component leaking 1
registration plate font not substantially similar to the prescribed font 1
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' 1
Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users 1

BMW 520D M Sport Auto Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on BMW 520D M Sport Auto models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre has ply or cords damaged 1

BMW 520D M Sport Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical BMW 520D M Sport Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
6,741 mi/yr
Typical
9,605 mi/yr
Average
10,779 mi/yr
Heavy usage
13,144 mi/yr

BMW 520D M Sport Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all BMW 520D M Sport Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
88,578 mi
75th Percentile
119,122 mi
95th Percentile
169,183 mi
Max Recorded
9,999,999 mi

How Does the BMW 520D M Sport Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
BMW 520D M Sport Auto THIS CAR 87.0% 11,688 88,578 mi — yrs
BMW 3 Series 75.1% 12,840,406 90,743 mi 37 yrs
BMW 118 81.5% 1,923,256 64,042 mi 22 yrs
BMW X5 77% 1,735,343 83,401 mi 25 yrs
Land Rover 90 71.3% 13,974 103,065 mi 63 yrs

Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW 520D M Sport Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used BMW 520D M Sport Auto?

The BMW 520D M Sport Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.0% across 11,688 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the BMW 520D M Sport Auto are constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (1 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (1), and fuel system component leaking (1). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre has ply or cords damaged. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW 520D M Sport Auto with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical BMW 520D M Sport Auto owner drives around 9,605 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

BMW 520D M Sport Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW 520D M Sport Auto reliable?
Based on 11,688 MOT tests, the BMW 520D M Sport Auto has a 87.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a BMW 520D M Sport Auto?
The most common MOT failures are constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, and fuel system component leaking. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a BMW 520D M Sport Auto do per year?
The typical BMW 520D M Sport Auto does around 9,605 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a BMW 520D M Sport Auto last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a BMW 520D M Sport Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.