Used car guide

2019 BMW 520D: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 BMW 520Ds, from 505 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

505MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
10,200typical miles a year
61×the usual rate for flexible couplings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 BMW 520Ds than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Flexible couplings61× usual
    BMW 520D
    6.1% All 2019 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.2% here, against 11.1% of all 2019 cars. Brake discs: 4% here, against 9.9% of all 2019 cars.

By area

The share of 2019 BMW 520D MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    8% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • EGR and particulate filter problems (diesel)
    Diesel

    Diesels came last of 20 executive cars in What Car?'s survey, with costly EGR valve and DPF faults and repeat dealer visits. There were also EGR cooler and coolant recalls for fire risk.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for recalls, and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

  • Ten recalls
    All engines

    Recalls also covered the brake pedal switch, curtain airbags, the steering gear, a balance shaft bearing, 48-volt battery cables, rear driveshafts and plug-in hybrid batteries.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to confirm every recall has been done.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

  • Electrical and sensor faults
    All engines

    Most petrol faults are electrical, including faulty sensors, persistent warning lights and infotainment faults.

    At the viewing: Test every button and screen, and look for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used BMW 5 Series (2017-2023) reliability

Looking at a BMW 520D?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,688Tyres 24%
20212,102Tyres 24%
20203,726Tyres 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 BMW 520Ds registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score