Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1980 BMW 520 Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1980 BMW 520 Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1980 BMW 520 Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1980 BMW 520 Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 520 Auto (1980)

740 real MOT outcomes analysed

1980 BMW 520 Auto

CarHunch has 740 1980 BMW 520 Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1980 BMW 520 Auto doesn't appear in DVLA light-vehicle MOT records — it may be exempt, registered as a different vehicle class, or an import not subject to UK MOT testing. We don't have reliability stats for this specific model, but you can browse other BMW vehicles below.

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No MOT data — worth knowing

Got a specific BMW 520 Auto you're checking out?

The real detail is in the individual vehicle report — MOT history, AI Hunches, mileage timeline, and defect patterns for that specific reg.

The 1980 BMW 520 AUTO falls outside the DVLA light-vehicle MOT database we analyse, so there are no pass rates, defect statistics, or failure data available for this cohort. This model is now over 40 years old and extremely rare on UK roads; most examples have either been scrapped, preserved as classics, or remain registered but rarely tested. If you're considering one, MOT history won't help you assess reliability—instead, focus on a full pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist, service records, and the specific maintenance needs of an air-cooled or early water-cooled engine of that era. Any 1980 BMW that's still roadworthy and regularly tested is likely in the hands of an enthusiast or collector who understands the cost and commitment involved.

MOT statistics not available

We have 740 1980 BMW 520 Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

Heavy commercial vehicle — trucks, buses and coaches over 3.5 tonnes are tested under the DVSA annual HGV/PSV regime, which uses a separate database not included in our data source
Imported vehicles — vehicles registered abroad and recently brought to the UK may have no UK MOT history yet
MOT-exempt — vehicles manufactured before 1986 qualify under the 40-year rolling exemption; some specialist and agricultural vehicles are also exempt
Never used on public roads — some vehicles are registered but kept off-road and have never required an MOT

Check on the official DVSA service →

Before you buy a 1980 BMW 520 Auto

Based on MOT data from 740 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 3,526 BMW 520 Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 22.8%

805

Green 19.2%

678

Silver 13.7%

483

Red 11.8%

416

White 8.2%

290

Gold 6.6%

234

Grey 4.9%

172

Bronze 4.3%

152

Brown 3.9%

137

Black 3.3%

116

Beige 0.8%

Yellow 0.4%

Other model years — BMW 520 Auto: All 520 Auto years → Which year to buy? →

1981

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