Diesel BMW 525: MOT pass rate
76.8% of diesel BMW 525s pass the MOT first time, measured across 9,806 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 146,139.
Diesel against the other BMW 525 versions
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 76.8% | 9,806 |
| Petrol | 74.9% | 3,552 |
| All BMW 525 | 76.3% | 13,362 |
Why the fuel type changes the number
Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.
On the BMW 525 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 76.8%, and this diesel version sits 0.5 points above the 76.3% model average.
What it means if you are buying one
There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.
Mileage is part of the answer
The average diesel BMW 525 had covered 146,139 miles at test, against 124,200 for the petrol. That is very high mileage. Clutches, dual-mass flywheels and head gaskets have usually been through at least one repair by this point, so ask for evidence rather than assume the car is original everywhere.
Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 525 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.
Other BMW 525 fuel types
- Petrol BMW 525 - 74.9%