Used car guide

2006 BMW 520: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 BMW 520s, from 1,564 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,564MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
9,000typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 BMW 520s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    BMW 520
    20% All 2006 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Track rod ends2.4× usual
    BMW 520
    13.4% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    BMW 520
    12.1% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Flexible brake hoses1.8× usual
    BMW 520
    9.9% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Anti-roll bar3.7× usual
    BMW 520
    2.2% All 2006 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.4% here, against 7.6% of all 2006 cars. Braking performance: 3.1% here, against 6.6% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 BMW 520 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    45% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% 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
    15% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 BMW 520s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score