Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 BMW 525?

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 2004 BMW 525?

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 2004 BMW 525?

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.

How many 2004 BMW 525 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2004 BMW 525 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,115 vehicles, the 2004 BMW 525 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2004 BMW 525?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2004 BMW 525 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (83.3% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (82.6% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (70.1% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 BMW 525?

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 525 (2004)

5,115 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.8% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW 525

CarHunch analysed 5,115 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 525. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2004 BMW 525 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.8%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

39.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.9

Over 15.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

109k

Middle half: 90k–132k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,115 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,115 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 83.3%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 70.1%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Oil leak, but not excessive · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · …

Brake wear 32.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,115 BMW 525 cars.

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

78.1%

Petrol

1,878 vehicles

76.1%

Diesel

3,230 vehicles

Before you buy a 2004 BMW 525

Based on MOT data from 5,115 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.6% 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

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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 58,899 BMW 525 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 23.1%

13,592

Blue 21.7%

12,761

Black 17.8%

10,462

Grey 16.3%

9,590

Green 8.1%

4,753

Red 6.9%

4,044

White 4%

2,374

Bronze 0.9%

520

Beige 0.4%

236

Gold 0.4%

214

Brown 0.3%

201

Purple 0.3%

152

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW 525 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.

109,371

typical

89,641

low mileage

132,429

high mileage

Half of all 2004 BMW 525 vehicles fall between 89,641 and 132,429 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 89,641 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.

✓ 89,641–132,429 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 BMW 525s sit.

⚠ Over 178,779 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 BMW 525 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 18% of 2004 BMW 525s are still active.

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.
* 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

15.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.9

Avg failures per vehicle

21.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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Compare with another model

See how the 2004 BMW 525 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing