What year BMW 520d SE is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 2010 BMW 520d SE has the highest pass rate at 83.8%, out of 281 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW 520d SE MOT failures?

The most common BMW 520d SE MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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BMW 520d SE — Reliability by Year

2,447 vehicles · MOT data 2005–2012 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 520d SE was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

2010

83.8% pass rate · 281 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

2005

69.8% pass rate · 130 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
2012	83.6%	102,294 mi	109
2011	82.5%	130,587 mi	411
2010	83.8%	128,139 mi	281
2009	83.6%	139,084 mi	226
2008	80.5%	141,353 mi	531
2007	76.6%	153,758 mi	344
2006	74.6%	161,951 mi	415
2005	69.8%	161,554 mi	130

Which year BMW 520d SE is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests.

Tests range from an average of 102,294 miles (newest year) to 161,951 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a BMW 520d SE.

See the buying guide →

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