Diesel BMW 535: MOT pass rate

83.5% of diesel BMW 535s pass the MOT first time, measured across 7,105 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 120,192.

Diesel against the other BMW 535 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 535 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 83.5%, and this diesel version sits 0 points above the 83.5% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW 535 had covered 120,192 miles at test, against 94,300 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 535 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 535

1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 0.7% of tests (1.76x the national rate for this defect)
2. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.8% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.3% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.3% 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, 1.6% of tests
8. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.2% of tests
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.1% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1% of tests

From 7,125 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 535 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 535's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.87% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 535

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.4% of tests (5.99x the national rate for this defect)
2. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.6% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.9% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.7% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect), also fails
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 (1.28x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 17% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.5% of tests, also fails
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 6.8% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 6% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 6% of tests, also fails

From 7,125 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 535 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 535 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 535 - 82.9%

All BMW 535 MOT data · Every model