2008 BMW 523 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 523 models manufactured in 2008, based on 2,493 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 523 cars tested in 2008. Want to see how cars built in 2008 hold up over time?
View 2008 BMW 523 vintage page → (61.7% current pass rate)2008 BMW 523 MOT Analysis
The 2008 BMW 523 has an MOT pass rate of 77.7% based on 2,493 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 74,893 miles on the odometer. With a 22.3% failure rate, the 2008 523 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2008 BMW 523 is Tyres, responsible for 2.0% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 1.7%. Road Wheels follows at 1.6%.
Top failures specific to 2008 models only. The overall 523 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.0% | 51 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.7% | 43 |
| 3 | Road Wheels | 1.6% | 39 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.5% | 38 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 26 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.9% | 22 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 0.4% | 11 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.4% | 9 |
| 9 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.3% | 8 |
| 10 | Visibility | 0.2% | 5 |
| 11 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 74,893 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.27 | 2.0% | 51 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.23 | 1.7% | 43 |
| Wheels | 0.21 | 1.6% | 39 |
| Suspension | 0.20 | 1.5% | 38 |
| Brakes | 0.14 | 1.0% | 26 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.12 | 0.9% | 22 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.06 | 0.4% | 11 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.05 | 0.4% | 9 |
| Body & Structure | 0.04 | 0.3% | 8 |
| Visibility | 0.03 | 0.2% | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 0.02 | 0.1% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2008 BMW 523 has an MOT pass rate of 77.7% based on 2,493 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 74,893 miles on the odometer. With a 22.3% failure rate, the 2008 523 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2008 BMW 523, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. At 74,893 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Tyres — 2.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 2008 BMW 523 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 1.7% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 1.7% of MOT failures on 2008 BMW 523 models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Road Wheels — 1.6% of failures
Road Wheels issues account for 1.6% of MOT failures on 2008 BMW 523 models. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs: £100–400 per wheel. Pre-MOT check: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.