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

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?

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?

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 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 226 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 520d SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.6%, 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 2009 BMW 520d SE?

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 (2009)

226 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.6% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 520d SE

CarHunch analysed 226 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 520d SE. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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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 SE is a serious reliability concern: only 17% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%. The median mileage of 139,084 miles is reasonable for a 15-year-old diesel, but these cars are clearly racking up failures at every test—you should assume multiple visits to the garage will be needed.

The good news is there are no dangerous defects on record and advisories are virtually absent, meaning the failures tend to be fixable (if costly). Before viewing one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the common failure areas—diesel engines and German electrics can be expensive to repair—and factor in annual MOT prep costs to your running budget.

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

First-time pass

83.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.24

Over 2 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

139k

Middle half: 116k–167k

For context

These stats describe 226 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 226 BMW 520d SE cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 520d SE

Based on MOT data from 226 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 2,697 BMW 520d SE vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 35.4%

954

Grey 24.1%

650

Silver 17.7%

477

Blue 15.2%

409

White 5.6%

150

Red 0.8%

Green 0.5%

Brown 0.4%

Bronze 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 BMW 520d SE 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.

139,084

typical

115,786

low mileage

167,444

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 520d SE vehicles fall between 115,786 and 167,444 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 115,786 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.

✓ 115,786–167,444 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 520d SEs sit.

⚠ Over 226,049 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 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 40% of 2009 BMW 520d SEs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (40% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.24

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

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

Average reliability — agree?