RegVerdict Model Intelligence
BMW 525 reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults·23,611 DVSA tests·2024
Across 23,611 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 72% of BMW 525 cars aged 13 years and older pass their MOT first time, ahead of the 61% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on body & structure and emissions & leaks.
72%
Strong for its agepass first time (13 years and older)
Strong for its age · beats 71% of peers
+11.2 pts
MOT pass rate by age
8 to 12 years
2,811 tests · fleet 73%
83%
13 years and older
20,800 tests · fleet 61%
72%
Where the 525 fails
Suspension93
Brakes96
Body & structure99
Steering98
Tyres96
Lights & electrics94
Holds up better on body & structure, emissions & leaks, lights & electrics.
Share of 13 years and older BMW 525 MOTs with no fault in each area; the marker shows the fleet average. OGL v3.0.
How it tends to age
How the BMW 525 tends to age
The MOT areas flagged most often on BMW 525 models 13 years and older. It is the model’s typical pattern across millions of tests, not a forecast for this specific car.
- Lights & electrics · flagged on ~7% of MOTs
- Suspension · flagged on ~7% of MOTs
- Brakes · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
- Tyres · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
Common questions
Is the BMW 525 reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the BMW 525 holds up well for its age: 72% of examples aged 13 years and older pass first time, against a 61% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 71% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW 525?
First-time MOT pass rates for the BMW 525 in 2024: 8 to 12 years, 83%; and 13 years and older, 72%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a BMW 525 MOT?
No single area stands out as a recurring weakness for the BMW 525 versus other cars of the same age. Its MOT failures are spread across the usual wear items (tyres, brakes, lamps).
Other BMW models
Check a BMW 525’s full history