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

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 Business Edition?

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 Business Edition?

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 Business Edition reliable?

Based on MOT data from 214 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.2%, 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 Business Edition?

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 Business Edition (2009)

214 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.2% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition

CarHunch analysed 214 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2009 BMW 520D is a serious reliability concern—only 13% pass their MOT first time versus the UK average of 80%, and the median CarHunch score of 40 reflects consistent structural problems across the 214 vehicles analysed. The bright spot is that none recorded dangerous defects, so while these cars need work, they're not actively unsafe on the road.

At 140,000 miles median, these are well-worn examples typical for their age, yet they're averaging nearly 0.2 failures per test, which suggests maintenance neglect or underlying mechanical issues beyond normal wear. Before buying one, budget heavily for repairs and insist on a full pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist—the first-time pass rate tells you these cars will cost money to keep compliant.

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

First-time pass

81.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.19

Over 1.8 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

140k

Middle half: 116k–156k

For context

These stats describe 214 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 214 BMW 520d SE Business Edition cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition

Based on MOT data from 214 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 249 BMW 520d SE Business Edition vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 40.6%

101

Grey 27.7%

Blue 16.9%

Silver 14.9%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition 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.

140,219

typical

115,952

low mileage

155,823

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Edition vehicles fall between 115,952 and 155,823 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 115,952 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.

✓ 115,952–155,823 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Editions sit.

⚠ Over 210,361 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 Business Edition — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 62% of 2009 BMW 520d SE Business Editions are still active.

16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 62% of the peak remain.

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

1.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.19

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

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

Average reliability — agree?