BMW 535i common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used BMW 535i, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,965 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a BMW 535i?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines
Timing chain wear
Wear in the timing chain guides and tensioner shows up as a grinding or rattling noise at start-up. Putting it right is a big job with a big bill.
At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for grinding or rattling in the first few seconds.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · Diesel
EGR cooler recall (diesel)
Over 220,000 BMWs were recalled because the EGR cooler could leak and, in rare cases, cause a fire.
At the viewing: Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines
Wet passenger footwell
A leak at the heater blower housing can soak the front passenger carpet, often noticed as a musty smell.
At the viewing: Feel the passenger-side carpet for damp and sniff for mustiness.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines
Cranks but won’t start
A failing fuel pump control unit can stop the engine firing even though it turns over. It has to be replaced.
At the viewing: Make sure it starts promptly every time you try.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines
Noisy or odd-feeling steering
Air getting into the power steering, usually from a failing pump, makes the steering noisy.
At the viewing: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and listen for whining.
- Cars registered 2010–2016 · All engines
Ticking from a front wheel
A brake disc that sits too close to the wheel bearing can tick on every turn. A small spacer fixes it.
At the viewing: Drive slowly with the window down and listen for ticking.
BMW 535i MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 87% | 77% +10 | 275 (small sample) |
| 2015 | 89% | 74% +15 | 424 (small sample) |
| 2014 | 87% | 70% +17 | 295 (small sample) |
| 2013 | 84% | 67% +17 | 174 (small sample) |
| 2012 | 82% | 64% +18 | 154 (small sample) |
| 2011 | 84% | 62% +22 | 295 (small sample) |
| 2010 | 77% | 60% +17 | 347 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 71% | 58% +13 | 105 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 80% | 60% +20 | 122 (small sample) |
| 2000 | 75% | 61% +14 | 180 (small sample) |
| 1999 | 69% | 63% +6 | 195 (small sample) |
| 1998 | 69% | 65% +4 | 273 (small sample) |
| 1997 | 73% | 65% +8 | 126 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW 535i
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the timing chain or its guides been replaced, and is there an invoice?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW 535i?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score