Used car guide

2001 BMW 520: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 BMW 520s, from 209 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 209 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

209MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,600typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 BMW 520s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    BMW 520
    33.5% All 2001 cars
    17.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2001 BMW 520 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    34% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a BMW 520?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019122Tyres 20%
2018184Tyres 22%
20171,462Tyres 26%
201611,923Tyres 26%
201512,114Tyres 27%
201411,329Tyres 28%
20136,481Tyres 29%
20126,020Tyres 31%
20116,844Tyres 31%
20103,675Suspension 33%
20093,423Suspension 39%
20082,220Suspension 42%
20072,434Suspension 50%
20061,564Suspension 50%
2005412Suspension 52%
2004184Suspension 50%
2003313Suspension 44%
2002278Suspension 43%
2000106Suspension 46%
1999116Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 BMW 520s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score