BMW 525 — Reliability by Year
56,790 vehicles · MOT data 1980–2016 · first-test pass rates
This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the BMW 525 was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →
| Year | Pass rate | Avg mileage | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 |
|
69,228 mi | 260 |
| 2015 |
|
73,720 mi | 521 |
| 2014 |
|
79,724 mi | 488 |
| 2013 |
|
83,948 mi | 257 |
| 2012 |
|
87,347 mi | 388 |
| 2011 |
|
89,815 mi | 1,023 |
| 2010 |
|
89,963 mi | 1,367 |
| 2009 |
|
92,473 mi | 1,516 |
| 2008 |
|
99,591 mi | 2,414 |
| 2007 |
|
102,045 mi | 3,170 |
| 2006 |
|
101,147 mi | 3,385 |
| 2005 |
|
107,618 mi | 5,479 |
| 2004 |
|
100,465 mi | 5,115 |
| 2003 |
|
103,701 mi | 3,195 |
| 2002 |
|
110,232 mi | 4,453 |
| 2001 |
|
108,130 mi | 4,387 |
| 2000 |
|
108,295 mi | 935 |
| 1998 |
|
144,785 mi | 749 |
| 1997 |
|
144,845 mi | 828 |
| 1996 |
|
140,040 mi | 1,453 |
| 1995 |
|
143,260 mi | 2,747 |
| 1994 |
|
147,055 mi | 3,009 |
| 1993 |
|
146,566 mi | 1,955 |
| 1992 |
|
149,004 mi | 1,441 |
| 1991 |
|
148,382 mi | 1,291 |
| 1990 |
|
145,609 mi | 1,228 |
| 1989 |
|
147,684 mi | 1,428 |
| 1988 |
|
142,310 mi | 715 |
| 1987 |
|
131,341 mi | 350 |
| 1986 |
|
131,195 mi | 255 |
| 1985 |
|
126,126 mi | 183 |
| 1984 |
|
113,007 mi | 112 |
| 1981 |
|
98,326 mi | 208 |
| 1980 |
|
85,909 mi | 485 |
Which year BMW 525 is most reliable?
MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.
Tests range from an average of 69,228 miles (newest year) to 149,004 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →
We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a BMW 525.
Check any UK registration — free MOT history and risk insights.