BMW 535: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW 535 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 6.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 8,313 individual BMW 535 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate82.9%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+6.2 points
Tests analysed8,313
Average mileage at test115,782 miles
Average year of manufacture2010
Reliability rank1,342 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 82.9% first-time pass rate means roughly 17 in every 100 BMW 535s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average BMW 535 tested had covered 115,782 miles and was built around 2010.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW 535 sits 6.2 points above the national average, ranked 1,342 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific BMW 535 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged BMW 535s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW 535

  1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 0.7% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)
  2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.7% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
  3. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.3% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.4% of tests
  5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.1% of tests
  6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.8% of tests
  7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.7% of tests
  8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.3% of tests
  9. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.1% of tests
  10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.1% of tests

From 8,300 DVSA-tracked BMW 535 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 6.55% of these flagged BMW 535 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW 535

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a BMW 535 before it actually fails on it.

  1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.3% of tests (5.83x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 9% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.6% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.7% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 1.4% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 16.3% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28.9% of tests, also fails
  8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.8% of tests
  9. A tyre seriously damaged, 6.4% of tests, also fails
  10. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 6.2% of tests

From 8,300 DVSA-tracked BMW 535 tests, 2024.

BMW 535 pass rate by model year

From its 2005 to its 2016 model year, the BMW 535's first-time pass rate has risen 9.6 points, from 79.4% to 89%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each BMW 535 year:

BMW 535 by fuel type

The BMW 535's two most-tested fuel types split by 0.6 points: diesel passes first time 83.5% of the time (7,105 tests) against 82.9% for petrol (1,146 tests).

Other BMW models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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BMW 535 MOT pass rate badge: 82.9%

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BMW 535 most common MOT failure: An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction (0.7% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate