Used car guide

2011 BMW 520: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 BMW 520s, from 6,844 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,844MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
10,000typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 BMW 520s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Ball joint1.7× usual
    BMW 520
    10.5% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 0.4% here, against 8.1% of all 2011 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.5% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 BMW 520 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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
    23% 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
    19% 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
    7% 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%
20103,675Suspension 33%
20093,423Suspension 39%
20082,220Suspension 42%
20072,434Suspension 50%
20061,564Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 BMW 520s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score