Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1988 BMW 520 I Lux?

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 Lux?

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 Lux?

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 Lux?

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 Lux (1988)

802 real MOT outcomes analysed

1988 BMW 520 I Lux

CarHunch has 802 1988 BMW 520 I Lux 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 1988 BMW 520 I Lux 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 Lux 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 LUX in the DVLA light-vehicle database, so a reliability comparison against the UK average cannot be made. This 35-year-old petrol saloon sits at the threshold where very few examples remain in regular MOT testing, making statistical analysis impossible.

What matters for a buyer is the practical reality: any 520 from 1988 will be a classic or enthusiast vehicle rather than everyday transport. At an average mileage of 119,192 miles, these cars have typically been kept by owners who care about maintenance, though you should have a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist to assess the condition of the engine, cooling system, and electrical components that defined this era. Budget for specialist servicing and expect parts availability to be limited to the classic car supply chain.

MOT statistics not available

We have 802 1988 BMW 520 I Lux 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 Lux

Based on MOT data from 802 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 1,866 BMW 520 I Lux vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 21.4%

399

Red 20.4%

381

White 17%

318

Blue 16.1%

300

Black 16%

299

Bronze 3.3%

Beige 2.6%

Green 1.4%

Silver 1%

Gold 0.7%

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

1987

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