Used car guide

2001 BMW 525: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 BMW 525s, from 455 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 455 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

455MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
5,600typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 BMW 525s than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    BMW 525
    7.9% All 2001 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    BMW 525
    11.4% All 2001 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Washers2.1× usual
    BMW 525
    7.3% All 2001 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2001 BMW 525 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a BMW 525?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016245Tyres 25%
2015464Tyres 28%
2014388Tyres 28%
2013196Tyres 26%
2012260Tyres 32%
2011706Tyres 31%
2010779Suspension 30%
20091,014Suspension 36%
20081,272Suspension 40%
20071,358Suspension 43%
20061,052Suspension 44%
20051,073Suspension 50%
2004770Suspension 47%
2003561Suspension 46%
2002586Brakes 40%
1995115Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 BMW 525s registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score