Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto?

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 SE Bus Edition Auto?

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 SE Bus Edition Auto?

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 SE Bus Edition Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 167 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.8%, 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 SE Bus Edition Auto?

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 Bus Edition Auto (2009)

167 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.8% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto

CarHunch analysed 167 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto. 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 serious reliability concern — only 14.1% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning nearly 9 in 10 fail their MOT. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so failures tend to be fixable rather than safety-critical.

At 130,000 miles median, these cars are well-used but not exceptional for their age, yet they're still racking up an average of 0.07 failures per vehicle, suggesting worn components rather than abuse. If you're considering one, budget for repairs before purchase and have a pre-buy inspection by a BMW specialist — the MOT pattern here shows these aren't straightforward keepers.

We have limited data for the 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

90.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.07

Over 1.7 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

130k

Middle half: 110k–153k

For context

These stats describe 167 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 167 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto

Based on MOT data from 167 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 SE Bus Edition 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.

130,449

typical

109,514

low mileage

153,313

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto vehicles fall between 109,514 and 153,313 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 109,514 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.

✓ 109,514–153,313 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Autos sit.

⚠ Over 206,972 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 SE Bus Edition Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 50% of 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Autos are still active.

12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 50% of the peak remain.

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

1.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.07

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 BMW 520d SE Bus Edition Auto stacks up against a rival.

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