Used car guide

2004 BMW 520: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 BMW 520s, from 184 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 184 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

184MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 BMW 520s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    BMW 520
    35.9% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    BMW 520
    22.3% All 2004 cars
    9.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2004 BMW 520 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    38% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a BMW 520?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019122Tyres 20%
2018184Tyres 22%
20171,462Tyres 26%
201611,923Tyres 26%
201512,114Tyres 27%
201411,329Tyres 28%
20136,481Tyres 29%
20126,020Tyres 31%
20116,844Tyres 31%
20103,675Suspension 33%
20093,423Suspension 39%
20082,220Suspension 42%
20072,434Suspension 50%
20061,564Suspension 50%
2005412Suspension 52%
2003313Suspension 44%
2002278Suspension 43%
2001209Suspension 45%
2000106Suspension 46%
1999116Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 BMW 520s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score