BMW 525 (2013)
2013 BMW 525
CarHunch analysed 257 real MOT records for the 2013 BMW 525. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 BMW 525 diesel passes its MOT at 85.4%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, but there's a serious caveat: 40% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical levels and a genuine concern for buyers. This reliability advantage is genuine, not inflated by low-mileage examples—the median sits at 83,678 miles, right where you'd expect an 11-year-old car to be.
These cars are picking up an average of 1.61 failures and 9.2 advisories per MOT, suggesting modest repair needs but plenty of minor wear items requiring attention. Before committing to purchase, have an independent BMW specialist inspection done focusing on the suspension, cooling system, and electronics—areas where high advisory counts often cluster on this model—and ask for full service records to verify maintenance intervals have been met.
What to check before buying a 2013 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.
- ⚠️ 40.1% 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%) | 255 | 85.4% | 1.62 |
| Petrol (1%) | 2 | 83.3% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 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 2013 BMW 525 vehicles fall between 62,118 and 106,809 miles.
2013 BMW 525 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 186 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 80% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2013 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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48.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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46.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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16.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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15.1%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
15.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013. 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.