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

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 525d SE Auto?

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 525d SE Auto?

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.

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

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 525d SE Auto (2004)

150 real MOT outcomes analysed • 24.4% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW 525d SE Auto

CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2004 BMW 525D is a serious reliability concern: just 24.4% pass MOT first time against the UK average of 80%, meaning three-quarters of these cars come back with defects. The good news is that dangerous defects are rare (0%), but the sheer frequency of failures suggests deep mechanical issues are common.

At 165,000 miles the average is respectable for a 20-year-old diesel, yet these cars still rack up 0.89 failures per test on average. If you're considering one, budget for repair work—expect to find something wrong during MOT—and get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist who knows the diesel engine well.

Below average reliability 55.6% below UK average

24.4%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

162,178

typical mileage

141,152–185,703 middle half

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.89

avg MOT failures per car

over 2.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto

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.
📄 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 525d SE Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	149	23.9%	0.9
Gas Bi-Fuel (1%)	1	100%	0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto 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.

141,152

low mileage

162,178

typical

185,703

high mileage

Half of all 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto vehicles fall between 141,152 and 185,703 miles.

2004 BMW 525d SE Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (23% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2024.

MOT History Averages

2.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.89

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW 525d SE Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.