BMW 520 (2017)
2017 BMW 520
CarHunch analysed 1,571 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 BMW 520 diesel passes its MOT first time in 89.3% of cases, well above the UK average of 80%, which is genuinely impressive—but 36.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a figure that should give any buyer pause. This suggests the 520 is fundamentally sound, yet prone to occasional serious issues that demand attention.
At 58,354 miles median mileage for a seven-year-old car, these are lightly used examples, which partly explains the strong pass rate. The average car racks up 0.82 failures and 5.4 advisories per test, pointing to minor wear items (brake pads, suspension components, trim) rather than structural rot or major mechanical decay. Before buying, ask the seller for full service history and have an independent inspection focus on the fuel system and exhaust equipment, where many luxury diesels develop problems.
What to check before buying a 2017 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.
- ⚠️ 36.1% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 1,554 | 89.3% | 0.82 |
| Petrol (1%) | 17 | 87.1% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 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 2017 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 45,550 and 76,071 miles.
2017 BMW 520 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 1,383 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 93% 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 — 2017 BMW 520
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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46.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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24.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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17%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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12.4%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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12.2%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. 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.