Used car guide

2004 BMW 525: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 BMW 525s, from 770 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

770MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
7,000typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 BMW 525s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    BMW 525
    30.9% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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 joints2.1× usual
    BMW 525
    19.9% All 2004 cars
    9.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, 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.

  • Airbag warning light4.3× usual
    BMW 525
    6.9% All 2004 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 1.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Flexible brake hoses2× usual
    BMW 525
    11.2% All 2004 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.1× usual
    BMW 525
    7.8% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.2% here, against 8% of all 2004 cars. Brake lights: 2.9% here, against 5.7% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 BMW 525 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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
    42% 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
    35% 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
    32% 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
    31% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% 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 525?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011706Tyres 31%
2010779Tyres 30%
20091,014Suspension 36%
20081,272Suspension 40%
20071,358Suspension 43%
20061,052Suspension 44%
20051,073Suspension 50%
2003561Suspension 46%
2002586Brakes 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 BMW 525s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score