BMW 525 (2004)
2004 BMW 525
CarHunch analysed 5,115 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 525. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2004 BMW 525 falls short of the UK average with a 76.8% first-time pass rate, and nearly 40% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—a significant concern that should influence any purchase decision. Diesel and petrol variants perform similarly (76.1% and 78.1% respectively), so fuel choice won't meaningfully improve your odds.
These 525s average just over 100,000 miles for their age, suggesting moderate use, yet they're racking up nearly 4 failures and over 21 advisories per vehicle on test—the high advisory count particularly indicates persistent wear and ageing issues across electrical, suspension and trim components. Before committing to one, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection and expect ongoing maintenance; this isn't a low-cost classic to own.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2004 BMW 525
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.
- ⚠️ 39.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 525
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (63%) | 3,230 | 76.1% | 3.95 |
| Petrol (37%) | 1,878 | 78.1% | 3.8 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 81.6% | 3.4 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 70% | 6 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 81.3% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 BMW 525 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.
Half of all 2004 BMW 525 vehicles fall between 89,641 and 132,429 miles.
2004 BMW 525 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 724 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (18% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2004 BMW 525
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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83.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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82.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.1%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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62%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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49%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.8%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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46.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.3%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 525?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.