Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV 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 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV 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 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV 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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV 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 Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto (2021)

412 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.7% first-time pass rate

2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto

CarHunch analysed 412 real MOT records for the 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Generally reliable 8.7% above UK average

88.7%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

34,239

typical mileage

26,148–44,650 middle half

11.9%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.27

avg MOT failures per car

over 2.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Electric Diesel (93%)	384	88.5%	0.28
Other (6%)	24	91.7%	0.13
Diesel (1%)	4	91.7%	0.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

26,148

low mileage

34,239

typical

44,650

high mileage

Half of all 2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto vehicles fall between 26,148 and 44,650 miles.

2021 BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 384 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.27

Avg failures per vehicle

0.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — BMW 520d Xdrive M Sport MHEV Auto:

2020 2022 2023