BMW 520 (2015)
2015 BMW 520
CarHunch analysed 13,929 real MOT records for the 2015 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 BMW 520 passes its MOT at 88.8%, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely impressive—but that headline hides a serious concern: 35.6% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, nearly double the typical rate. Petrol and diesel variants perform similarly (90.3% vs 88.8%), so fuel choice won't meaningfully shift your reliability picture.
These 520s are running at 70,261 miles median for their age, which is typical usage, yet they're still racking up 1.07 failures per MOT and 7.3 advisories on average—suggesting wear items and electrical niggles are common across the board. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the braking system, suspension geometry, and electrical gremlins, since those dangerous defects hint at systemic weak points rather than random failures.
What to check before buying a 2015 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.
- ⚠️ 35.6% 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 13,722 | 88.8% | 1.07 |
| Petrol (1%) | 207 | 90.4% | 0.96 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 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.
Half of all 2015 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 53,287 and 92,028 miles.
2015 BMW 520 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11,581 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 88% of the peak.
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 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 2015. 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.