BMW 520 (2004)
2004 BMW 520
CarHunch analysed 1,496 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 520. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 BMW 520 falls just short of the UK average with a 78.5% first-time pass rate, and nearly one in three of these cars (30.6%) have shown up with dangerous defects during MOT testing—a significant concern for a buyer. Petrol variants perform marginally better at 78.6%, but the difference is negligible.
At 80,000 miles median, these cars have covered typical mileage for their age, yet they're prone to accumulating problems: the average vehicle fails on 3.33 separate items and racks up 18.2 advisories, suggesting ageing components and wear rather than catastrophic design flaws. Before committing to one, get a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system, suspension, and electrics—areas where this generation commonly develops costly issues.
What to check before buying a 2004 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.
- ⚠️ 30.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (93%) | 1,394 | 78.6% | 3.3 |
| Diesel (6%) | 97 | 76.1% | 3.78 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 75.8% | 5 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 70% | 6 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 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.
Half of all 2004 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 61,644 and 102,278 miles.
2004 BMW 520 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 176 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (18% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 BMW 520
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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84.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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84.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.2%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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51.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.1%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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48.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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32.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. 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.