Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2007 BMW 520d SE A?

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 SE A?

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 SE A?

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 SE A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 126 vehicles, the 2007 BMW 520d SE A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.5%, 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 SE A?

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 SE A (2007)

126 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.5% first-time pass rate

2007 BMW 520d SE A

CarHunch analysed 126 real MOT records for the 2007 BMW 520d SE A. 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

The 2007 BMW 520D SE A is a significantly unreliable proposition: just 30.5% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning seven out of ten examples fail their MOT. There are no dangerous defects recorded across this cohort, which is the only bright spot for safety.

With a median mileage of 156,578 miles for a 17-year-old car, these diesels have been driven hard, and that's reflected in an average of 0.73 failures per vehicle—typically suspension, emissions, or brake wear issues. If you're seriously considering one, budget for repairs before purchase and have a pre-buy inspection done by a BMW specialist, because the MOT data suggests most examples need work.

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

First-time pass

78.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.73

Over 3.5 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

157k

Middle half: 132k–179k

For context

These stats describe 126 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 126 BMW 520d SE A cars.

Before you buy a 2007 BMW 520d SE A

Based on MOT data from 126 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%)	125	78.5%	0.71

Mileage Distribution

Most 2007 BMW 520d SE A 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.

156,578

typical

131,827

low mileage

179,402

high mileage

Half of all 2007 BMW 520d SE A vehicles fall between 131,827 and 179,402 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 131,827 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.

✓ 131,827–179,402 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2007 BMW 520d SE As sit.

⚠ Over 242,192 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 SE A — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 45% of 2007 BMW 520d SE As are still active.

Numbers are declining — 22 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (45% 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

0.73

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2007 BMW 520d SE A stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?