Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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.

How many 2008 BMW 520 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

34% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 BMW 520 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 8,566 vehicles, the 2008 BMW 520 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 BMW 520?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 BMW 520 are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (72.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 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 (2008)

8,566 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.1% first-time pass rate

2008 BMW 520

CarHunch analysed 8,566 real MOT records for the 2008 BMW 520. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 BMW 520 matches the UK average first-time pass rate at exactly 80%, which is respectable for a car now 16 years old, but the headline concern is that 33.7% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above the typical threshold and a genuine safety consideration for any buyer. With a median mileage of 103,472 miles, these cars have been driven normally for their age, yet they're averaging 2.71 failures per test and accumulating 13.5 advisories, suggesting ageing components and wear that compounds quickly.

Most examples here are diesel (8,500 of 8,566), and they hold the same 80% pass rate as petrol variants, so fuel type isn't a differentiator. If you're serious about buying one, budget for suspension, cooling, and electrical work as routine maintenance, get a full pre-purchase inspection to check specifically for suspension and brake defects (the most common failure points in this era), and walk away if the service history is patchy—these Beamers reward consistency and punish neglect.

The 2008 BMW 520 has a decent first-time pass rate (80.1%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

33.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.71

Over 12.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

103k

Middle half: 81k–125k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 8,566 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 8,566 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 72.2%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Tyre wear 62.2%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 28.2%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 8,566 BMW 520 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 BMW 520

Based on MOT data from 8,566 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 33.7% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	8,500	80%	2.72
Petrol (1%)	66	84.4%	1.74

Colour Breakdown

Based on 153,915 BMW 520 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 25.6%

39,331

Grey 21.6%

33,230

Blue 16.8%

25,839

Silver 15.7%

24,148

White 11%

16,857

Green 4.1%

6,315

Red 3.5%

5,369

Brown 0.6%

966

Bronze 0.5%

725

Gold 0.4%

549

Beige 0.2%

357

Purple 0.1%

229

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 BMW 520 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

103,472

typical

81,447

low mileage

124,995

high mileage

Half of all 2008 BMW 520 vehicles fall between 81,447 and 124,995 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 81,447 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 81,447–124,995 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 BMW 520s sit.

⚠ Over 168,743 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 BMW 520 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 31% of 2008 BMW 520s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 2,146 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

12.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.71

Avg failures per vehicle

13.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

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Watch for defects — worth knowing