BMW 520 (2014)

13,916 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.2% first-time pass rate

2014 BMW 520

CarHunch analysed 13,916 real MOT records for the 2014 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 7.2% above UK average
87.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
78,515
typical mileage
59,670–101,207 middle half
37.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.34
avg MOT failures per car
over 9.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2014 BMW 520

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 37.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW 520

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 13,799 87.2% 1.34
Petrol (1%) 117 89% 1.14

Mileage Distribution

Most 2014 BMW 520 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

59,670
low mileage
78,515
typical
101,207
high mileage

Half of all 2014 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 59,670 and 101,207 miles.

2014 BMW 520 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 10,859 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 82% of the peak.

13,226 10,859 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.

MOT History Averages

9.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.34
Avg failures per vehicle
8.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2014 BMW 520

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 50.8%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 50.2%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 30.7%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 29.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 28.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 19.6%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 16%
    Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
  • 15.1%
    Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2014. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific BMW 520?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — BMW 520:

1980 1981 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019