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

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. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, 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.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 525

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 1.6% of tests (17.35x the national rate for this defect)
2. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 1.6% of tests (3.94x the national rate for this defect)
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.9% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
4. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.8% of tests (2.06x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.6% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect)
6. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.5% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3.1% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.4% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)

From 9,851 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 525 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 525's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.84% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 525

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 7.4% of tests (13.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.6% of tests (2.71x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 2.9% of tests (2.65x the national rate for this defect)
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 12.5% of tests (2.24x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 29.2% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 10% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.9% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.2% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.9% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 12.2% of tests

From 9,851 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 525 tests, 2024.

Other BMW 525 fuel types

• Petrol BMW 525 - 74.9%

All BMW 525 MOT data · Every model