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BMW 525 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,828 MOT tests from 97 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW 525 has the same fault.

BMW 525's have a average reliability rating of 493/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW 525 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

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Check a BMW 525 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

BMW 525 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A534/999Above average84,849 miles618 vehicles
N/AN/A512/999Above average85,478 miles818 vehicles
N/AN/A510/999Above average79,862 miles546 vehicles
N/AN/A476/999Average84,979 miles925 vehicles
N/AN/A463/999Average90,261 miles1,340 vehicles
N/AN/A463/999Average86,615 miles960 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW 525?

Based on 1,828 MOT tests from 97 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

97

MOT tests

1,828

Pass rate

78.1%

Median mileage

147,256 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW 525 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 536 out of 999.

Common BMW 525 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 334 advisory comments and 55 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 73 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (3.5.1I)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 47 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 advisory comments and 8 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: WINDSCREEN HAS DAMAGE TO AN AREA LESS THAN A 40MM CIRCLE OUTSIDE ZONE 'A' (8.3.1D)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 19 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (7.1.6 (A))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

BMW 525 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
201554787.2%Tyre wear
20111015979.9%Brake disc wear, Brake pad wear
20081018479.9%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2007915381.7%Tyre wear, Oil leak
2006818078.3%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20051223876.5%Tyre wear, Corrosion
2002717276.7%Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2001511773.5%Tyre wear, Oil leak

What to check when buying a used BMW 525

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Buying a BMW 525?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW 525s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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