BMW 520d SE Auto (2008)
2008 BMW 520d SE Auto
CarHunch analysed 358 real MOT records for the 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →
Moderate sample. 358 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.
This 2008 BMW 520D is in serious trouble on the MOT. With a first-time pass rate of just 9.7% against the UK average of 80%, these cars are failing their tests overwhelmingly—nearly 9 in 10 don't pass first time. The good news is that dangerous defects are extremely rare at 0.0%, so when they do fail, it's usually fixable rather than catastrophic.
The median mileage of 146,451 miles is exactly what you'd expect from a 16-year-old diesel, but the near-total failure rate suggests either severe neglect across the entire cohort or a fundamental design weakness in this generation. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist focusing on emissions, suspension, and brakes—these are where older 5-Series models typically rack up failures—and budget for serious remedial work if it's currently failing.
The 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 358 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.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 358 BMW 520d SE Auto cars.
Before you buy a 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto
Based on MOT data from 358 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 (100%) | 357 | 77.5% | 0.16 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 4,390 BMW 520d SE Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto 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.
Half of all 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto vehicles fall between 114,437 and 176,526 miles.
2008 BMW 520d SE Auto — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 35% of 2008 BMW 520d SE Autos are still active.
Numbers are declining — 13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% 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
Or browse all models: BMW →
Compare with another model
See how the 2008 BMW 520d SE Auto stacks up against a rival.