BMW 535
From 17,266 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 535s fare better: 2017 models pass at 89.9% vs 78.2% for 2005.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 328 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 | 328 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 308 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 275 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 255 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 178 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 169 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 139 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 110 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 102 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 92 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 49.5% of 535 failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 9.1% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £105.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 89.9% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2016 | 91.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2015 | 88.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2014 | 89.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
13 earlier years
| 2013 | 87.1% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2012 | 88% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2011 | 85.5% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2010 | 82.6% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2009 | 80.8% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play |
| 2008 | 84.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2007 | 85.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2006 | 80.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2005 | 78.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction |
| 2004 | 71.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 1999 | 80% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1998 | 77.9% | an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 1997 | 82.6% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all 535s tested had between 68,828 and 144,854 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 102,363 median miles, the 535 has 0.014 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 535 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 535 has a 85.4% MOT pass rate based on 17,266 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 535?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 535 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 328 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 535 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 535 is 102,363 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 68,828 and 144,854 miles.
Buying a used 535?
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.
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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.