Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 BMW 525 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

46% 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 2009 BMW 525 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,516 vehicles, the 2009 BMW 525 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 BMW 525?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 BMW 525 are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (68.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.6% 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 2009 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 (2009)

1,516 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.4% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW 525

CarHunch analysed 1,516 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW 525. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 BMW 525 passes its MOT at 81.4%, fractionally above the UK average, but nearly half of these cars (45.6%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern that should prompt thorough inspection of any used example you're considering. Diesel and petrol variants perform similarly, both hovering around 81% first-time pass rates.

These cars are averaging 95,890 miles at test, which is reasonable for their age, yet they rack up nearly 15 advisories per vehicle and almost 3 failures each—suggesting the 525 demands attentive maintenance to stay reliable. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, cooling system, and electrical components, as these figures hint at where the age-related wear typically shows up.

The 2009 BMW 525 has a decent first-time pass rate (81.4%), 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

81.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

45.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.95

Over 14.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

97k

Middle half: 76k–122k

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 14.9 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 1,516 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 1,516 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 68.2%

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

Tyre wear 60.2%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Brake wear 28%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

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 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,516 BMW 525 cars.

Before you buy a 2009 BMW 525

Based on MOT data from 1,516 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.6% 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 (83%)	1,254	81.3%	3
Petrol (17%)	262	82.3%	2.7

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 2009 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.

97,196

typical

76,468

low mileage

121,599

high mileage

Half of all 2009 BMW 525 vehicles fall between 76,468 and 121,599 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 76,468 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.

✓ 76,468–121,599 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 BMW 525s sit.

⚠ Over 164,158 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 BMW 525 — Still on the Road

Most 2009 BMW 525s are still being driven.

977 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 71% of the peak remain.

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

14.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.95

Avg failures per vehicle

14.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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Watch for defects — worth knowing