BMW 520 (2019)

125 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.7% first-time pass rate

2019 BMW 520

CarHunch analysed 125 real MOT records for the 2019 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Generally reliable 10.7% above UK average
90.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
45,590
typical mileage
36,832–62,263 middle half
12%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.49
avg MOT failures per car
over 4.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2019 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.
  • 📄 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 (71%) 89 91% 0.48
Petrol (26%) 33 90.9% 0.45
Electric Diesel (2%) 3 77.8% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 2019 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.

36,832
low mileage
45,590
typical
62,263
high mileage

Half of all 2019 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 36,832 and 62,263 miles.

2019 BMW 520 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 113 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

102 113 2022 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.49
Avg failures per vehicle
2.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2019 BMW 520

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

  • 16.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 15.5%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 12.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 11.3%
    Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
  • 10.6%
    Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
  • 9.9%
    Rear Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated
  • 9.9%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 9.9%
    Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2019. 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 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018