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.

Is the 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 150 vehicles, the 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 58.6%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

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 • 58.6% first-time pass rate

2004 BMW 525d SE Auto

CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

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.

We have limited data for the 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

58.6%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.89

Over 2.7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

162k

Middle half: 141k–186k

For context

These stats describe 150 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.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 150 BMW 525d SE Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto

Based on MOT data from 150 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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 (99%)	149	58.3%	0.9

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 BMW 525d SE Auto 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.

162,178

typical

141,152

low mileage

185,703

high mileage

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

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 141,152 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.

✓ 141,152–185,703 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 BMW 525d SE Autos sit.

⚠ Over 250,699 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 525d SE Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 23% of 2004 BMW 525d SE Autos are still active.

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.
* 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

2.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.89

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

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

Buyer beware — pass it on