Used car guide · 1999–2022

BMW 520 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used BMW 520, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 79,929 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

79,929MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
9known faults across all years
2010best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999

What usually goes wrong with a BMW 520?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing chain wear

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    Wear in the timing chain guides and tensioner shows up as a grinding or rattling noise at start-up. Putting it right is a big job with a big bill.

    At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for grinding or rattling in the first few seconds.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

  • EGR and particulate filter problems (diesel)

    Cars registered 2017–2022 · 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

  • EGR cooler recall (diesel)

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · Diesel

    Over 220,000 BMWs were recalled because the EGR cooler could leak and, in rare cases, cause a fire.

    At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

  • Wet passenger footwell

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    A leak at the heater blower housing can soak the front passenger carpet, often noticed as a musty smell.

    At the viewing: Feel the passenger-side carpet for damp and sniff for mustiness.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

  • Cranks but won’t start

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    A failing fuel pump control unit can stop the engine firing even though it turns over. It has to be replaced.

    At the viewing: Make sure it starts promptly every time you try.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

  • Ten recalls

    Cars registered 2017–2022 · 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

    Cars registered 2017–2022 · 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

  • Noisy or odd-feeling steering

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    Air getting into the power steering, usually from a failing pump, makes the steering noisy.

    At the viewing: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and listen for whining.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

  • Ticking from a front wheel

    Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines

    A brake disc that sits too close to the wheel bearing can tick on every turn. A small spacer fixes it.

    At the viewing: Drive slowly with the window down and listen for ticking.

    Source: Haynes: BMW 5-Series common problems (2010-2017)

Common BMW 520 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Flexible couplings

    up to 24× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

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

  • Wheels

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2021 and 2022.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

  • Engine warning light

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Handbrake lever

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.

    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.

BMW 520 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 BMW 520 did best (72% passed first time, 13 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (87%, 2 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202287%89% -22,688
202187%87% +02,102
202087%86% +13,726
201989%84% +5122 (small sample)
201889%81% +8184 (small sample)
201786%78% +81,462
201685%75% +1011,923
201583%72% +1112,114
201480%69% +1111,329
201377%66% +116,481
201272%63% +96,020
201173%61% +126,844
201072%59% +133,675
200969%58% +113,423
200870%57% +132,220
200765%57% +82,434
200662%57% +51,564
200563%58% +5412 (small sample)
200465%58% +7184 (small sample)
200363%59% +4313 (small sample)
200266%60% +6278 (small sample)
200164%61% +3209 (small sample)
200069%63% +6106 (small sample)
199957%65% -8116 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW 520

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the timing chain or its guides been replaced, and is there an invoice?
  2. Have the EGR recalls been done, and has it had any EGR or DPF work?
  3. Any recent work on the flexible couplings? (Flagged at MOT 24× as often on the BMW 520 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the BMW 520 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the BMW 520 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 520?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score