BMW 520 (2016)
2016 BMW 520
CarHunch analysed 13,240 real MOT records for the 2016 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 BMW 520 diesel passes its MOT first time in 89.6% of cases, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely reassuring—though a significant concern is that 33.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, suggesting electrical or brake issues are lurking in this model. Petrol versions perform marginally better at 91.4%, but the diesel-dominated cohort (13,130 of 13,240) tells you this is fundamentally a diesel buyer's car.
At 61,737 miles median for an 8-year-old car, these 520s are running relatively lightly, which explains the low failure rate of 0.89 per vehicle. The real tell is the 6.1 advisories per car—things like suspension wear, fluid leaks, and brake pad thinning that won't stop you driving but do accumulate—so budget for preventative maintenance and have any 520 you're considering inspected by a BMW specialist before purchase.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 33.1% 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%) | 13,130 | 89.5% | 0.89 |
| Petrol (1%) | 109 | 91.4% | 0.71 |
| Electric Diesel (0%) | 1 | 87.5% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 46,220 and 81,219 miles.
2016 BMW 520 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11,279 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 BMW 520
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
46.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
45.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
25.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
25.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
24.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
17%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
12.4%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
12.2%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.