BMW 525 MOT pass rate: 76.6% (11,783 tests, 2025)

The BMW 525 passed 76.6% of its 11,783 MOT tests in 2025 — right on the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 18 years old with 139,007 miles on the clock.

76.6%Pass rate (2025)

11,783MOT tests analysed

139,007 miMedian mileage at test

18 yrsMedian age at test

How the 525 compares

BMW 525

76.6%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

BMW average (all models)

83.0%

What fails most on the BMW 525

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the 525:

#	System	Defects recorded	Share
1	Suspension	2,122	27.7%
2	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	1,470	19.2%
3	Brakes	1,409	18.4%
4	Tyres	1,061	13.9%
5	Steering	472	6.2%
6	Noise, emissions and leaks	402	5.3%

Pre-MOT checklist for 525 owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
With the engine running, turn lock to lock: knocks or stiff spots are testable defects

Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers

525 pass rate by registration year

Registration year	Tests	Pass rate	Vs same-age	Median mileage
2001	1,549	70.4%	+3.8 pts	133,206
2002	2,037	70.9%	+5.2 pts	140,238
2003	1,935	68.9%	+3.8 pts	134,464
2004	2,931	69.9%	+5.6 pts	144,712
2005	4,247	72.9%	+8.4 pts	158,142
2006	3,836	74.3%	+9.9 pts	151,375
2007	4,644	75.6%	+10.5 pts	151,959
2008	4,206	76.6%	+11.5 pts	143,914
2009	3,146	77.0%	+10.6 pts	134,063
2010	2,583	79.3%	+11.9 pts	124,950
2011	2,228	80.8%	+11.6 pts	125,538

Check a specific 525 before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other BMW models

3 Series77.7% pass rate · 346,191 tests 11883.0% pass rate · 151,434 tests X185.0% pass rate · 105,826 tests 11678.5% pass rate · 100,371 tests X383.1% pass rate · 88,755 tests 1 Series81.7% pass rate · 77,207 tests X582.4% pass rate · 76,168 tests 5 Series85.7% pass rate · 71,923 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 525?

In 2025, 76.6% of 11,783 first MOT tests on the BMW 525 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the 525 fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (27.7% of its recorded defects), followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.

Is the BMW 525 reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 76.6% it performs below the national average at a median age of 18 years and 139,007 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.