Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 BMW 520 I 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 1988 BMW 520 I 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 1988 BMW 520 I 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 1988 BMW 520 I 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 I Auto (1988)

842 real MOT outcomes analysed

1988 BMW 520 I Auto

CarHunch has 842 1988 BMW 520 I Auto vehicles on record, but none have light-vehicle MOT history in our data source.

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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Colour Breakdown Compare Models

No MOT data available for this vehicle type

The 1988 BMW 520 I 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 I 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.

There is no MOT test data available for the 1988 BMW 520 I Auto in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so we cannot compare its reliability to the UK average or assess defect rates from test records. This 36-year-old saloon is now largely a classic or collector's vehicle rather than a regular road car, and most surviving examples may be registered for historic use or simply too rare to generate meaningful MOT statistics.

What you should know is that any 520 of this age will require specialist knowledge and commitment to maintain; the automatic transmission and fuel systems of 1980s BMWs are particularly prone to costly issues if neglected. If you're considering buying one, have it inspected by a BMW specialist who knows this era, check its full service history carefully, and budget generously for parts and labour—these cars repay proper care but punish corner-cutting.

MOT statistics not available

We have 842 1988 BMW 520 I 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 1988 BMW 520 I Auto

Based on MOT data from 842 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 2,546 BMW 520 I Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 23.4%

597

Blue 19.5%

496

Red 19.5%

496

Black 14.4%

367

Grey 11.1%

282

Green 4.3%

109

Silver 3.2%

Bronze 2.2%

Beige 1.8%

Gold 0.7%

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

1989 1990 1991 1992

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