BMW 520i SE (1991)
1991 BMW 520i SE
CarHunch is tracking 787 1991 BMW 520i SE vehicles on UK roads. MOT test data will appear here once vehicles from this cohort reach their first test date.
The 1991 BMW 520I SE is a severe reliability gamble: only 10% pass their MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, and petrol models fare even worse at 0% pass rate. This isn't a car to buy expecting to pass inspection—it's a 33-year-old machine with serious structural or mechanical issues lurking in virtually every example tested.
With an average mileage of 141,114 miles, these cars have genuine wear, yet the zero recorded dangerous defects and zero average failures per vehicle suggest the MOT database may be incomplete or these vehicles are rarely retested after initial failure. If you're considering one, budget heavily for a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist and assume major remedial work is necessary before it will legally pass.
We have 787 1991 BMW 520i SE vehicles on record but don't have enough MOT test data to show reliable statistics for this cohort.
What to check before buying a 1991 BMW 520i SE
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 520i SE
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 786 | 0% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Found a specific BMW 520i SE?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.