BMW 528
From 3,858 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 528s fare better: 2016 models pass at 88% vs 71% for 1999.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 108 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 108 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 82 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 80 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 65 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 56 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 51 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 51 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 51 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 50 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 49 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.7% of 528 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 34.8% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £130.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 88% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2015 | 89.2% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2014 | 86.8% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 86.1% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. |
8 earlier years
| 2012 | 86.6% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 2011 | 84.7% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2010 | 84.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2000 | 77% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction |
| 1999 | 71% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1998 | 67.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1997 | 70.8% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 1996 | 70.4% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all 528s tested had between 75,958 and 144,004 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 111,252 median miles, the 528 has 0.018 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 528 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 528 has a 79.9% MOT pass rate based on 3,858 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 528?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 528 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 108 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 528 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 528 is 111,252 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 75,958 and 144,004 miles.
Buying a used 528?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 79.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £130 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.