Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1981 BMW 520?

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 1981 BMW 520?

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 1981 BMW 520?

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 1981 BMW 520?

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 (1981)

684 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.9% first-time pass rate

1981 BMW 520

CarHunch analysed 684 real MOT records for the 1981 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 79.1% below UK average

0.9%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

99,064

typical mileage

73,016–105,154 middle half

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.02

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1981 BMW 520

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW 520

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1981 BMW 520 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

73,016

low mileage

99,064

typical

105,154

high mileage

Half of all 1981 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 73,016 and 105,154 miles.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.02

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1981 BMW 520

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

33.3%

Fuel pipe/s corroded
28.8%

Oil leak
16.7%

Brake pipe slightly corroded
13.6%

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
12.1%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
12.1%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
12.1%

Offside Rear fog lamp not working
10.6%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1981. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific BMW 520?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — BMW 520:

1980 1983 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019