What year BMW 528 I is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1986 BMW 528 I has the highest pass rate at 100.0%, out of 361 vehicles tested.

What are the most common BMW 528 I MOT failures?

The most common BMW 528 I MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

CarHunch

Get Started

BMW 528 I — Reliability by Year

4,555 vehicles · MOT data 1980–1987 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 528 I was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

✓

Best pass rate year

1986

100.0% pass rate · 361 vehicles

⚠

Lowest pass rate year

1982

100.0% pass rate · 888 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1987	—	—	297
1986	100.0%	129,023 mi	361
1985	100.0%	94,661 mi	467
1984	—	—	593
1983	—	—	914
1982	100.0%	234,544 mi	888
1981	—	—	546
1980	—	—	489

Which year BMW 528 I is most reliable?

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

Tests range from an average of 94,661 miles (newest year) to 234,544 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 528 I.

See the buying guide →

← All BMW models

Check any UK registration — free MOT history and risk insights.