What year BMW 520i SE is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1996 BMW 520i SE has the highest pass rate at 100.0%, out of 146 vehicles tested.

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

The most common BMW 520i 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 520i SE — Reliability by Year

5,365 vehicles · MOT data 1989–1999 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 520i 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

1996

100.0% pass rate · 146 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1998

62.6% pass rate · 173 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1999	69.0%	142,794 mi	104
1998	62.6%	121,655 mi	173
1997	70.0%	188,229 mi	145
1996	100.0%	120,531 mi	146
1995	72.2%	120,858 mi	239
1994	100.0%	71,187 mi	268
1993	100.0%	93,656 mi	341
1992	—	—	519
1991	66.7%	141,114 mi	787
1990	—	—	1,269
1989	—	—	1,374

Which year BMW 520i SE is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 71,187 miles (newest year) to 188,229 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 520i SE.

See the buying guide →

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