BMW 525 (2011)
2011 BMW 525
CarHunch analysed 1,023 real MOT records for the 2011 BMW 525. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 BMW 525 passes its MOT at 83%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, which suggests reasonable baseline reliability—but nearly half of these vehicles (45.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a significant concern for any buyer. The diesel variant, which dominates this cohort at 1,016 of 1,023 vehicles, performs almost identically to the overall figure at 82.9%, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
These cars average 91,455 miles, which is reasonable for a thirteen-year-old model, yet they're racking up an average of 2.37 failures and 12.3 advisories per test—that's well above the routine wear-and-tear category. Before buying one, insist on a full service history and a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, cooling system, and electrical gremlins, which tend to drive repeat MOT issues on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2011 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.
- ⚠️ 45.2% 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 (99%) | 1,016 | 82.9% | 2.37 |
| Petrol (1%) | 7 | 89.7% | 1.29 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 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 2011 BMW 525 vehicles fall between 69,277 and 109,421 miles.
2011 BMW 525 — Still on the Road
677 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% 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.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 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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45.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.2%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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44.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37.2%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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32.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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30.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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28.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 525?
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