Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn?

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 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn?

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 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn?

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.

Is the 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn reliable?

Based on MOT data from 124 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn?

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 520d M Sport Business Edn (2009)

124 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.7% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn

CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2009 BMW 520D is a reliability gamble: just 33% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning most examples need repairs before they'll pass their MOT. With zero dangerous defects recorded across 124 vehicles, safety failures aren't the issue—instead, expect routine mechanical wear and electrical gremlins typical of ageing German saloons.

At 125,000 miles median mileage, these cars are well-used but not exceptional for their age, yet they're still struggling through tests, which suggests maintenance costs are the real concern rather than just high mileage. Before buying, insist on a full service history and have a trusted mechanic inspect the diesel engine and transmission—the 0.42 average failures per vehicle means you're statistically likely to face a repair bill within months of purchase.

We have limited data for the 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

81.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.42

Over 2.6 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

125k

Middle half: 109k–138k

For context

These stats describe 124 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 124 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn

Based on MOT data from 124 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn 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.

124,973

typical

108,911

low mileage

138,000

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn vehicles fall between 108,911 and 138,000 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 108,911 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.

✓ 108,911–138,000 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edns sit.

⚠ Over 186,300 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn — Still on the Road

Almost all 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edns are still on the road.

Strong survival — 31 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
* 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

2.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.42

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 BMW 520d M Sport Business Edn stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?