Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2007 BMW 520d M Sport?

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 2007 BMW 520d M Sport?

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 2007 BMW 520d M Sport?

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 2007 BMW 520d M Sport reliable?

Based on MOT data from 196 vehicles, the 2007 BMW 520d M Sport has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.6%, 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 2007 BMW 520d M Sport?

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 (2007)

196 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.6% first-time pass rate

2007 BMW 520d M Sport

CarHunch analysed 196 real MOT records for the 2007 BMW 520d M Sport. 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 Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2007 BMW 520D M Sport has a first-time pass rate of just 36.5%, less than half the UK average of 80%, which signals serious reliability concerns for a 17-year-old diesel saloon. The good news is that dangerous defects are essentially absent from this cohort, so safety isn't the issue—it's ongoing repair costs.

At 156,000 miles median mileage, these cars are well-used, and the 0.8 average failures per vehicle suggests recurring mechanical problems rather than one-off issues. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist focusing on the diesel engine, fuel system, and cooling components, as the MOT data indicates you're likely looking at consistent maintenance demands.

We have limited data for the 2007 BMW 520d M Sport — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

73.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.8

Over 3.5 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

156k

Middle half: 137k–171k

For context

These stats describe 196 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 196 BMW 520d M Sport cars.

Before you buy a 2007 BMW 520d M Sport

Based on MOT data from 196 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	194	73.4%	0.8

Mileage Distribution

Most 2007 BMW 520d M Sport 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.

156,259

typical

136,798

low mileage

171,452

high mileage

Half of all 2007 BMW 520d M Sport vehicles fall between 136,798 and 171,452 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 136,798 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.

✓ 136,798–171,452 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2007 BMW 520d M Sports sit.

⚠ Over 231,460 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2007 BMW 520d M Sport — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 46% of 2007 BMW 520d M Sports are still active.

Numbers are declining — 38 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

3.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.8

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 520d M Sport: All 520d M Sport years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on