Used car guide

2006 BMW 525: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 BMW 525s, from 1,052 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,052MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
8,000typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 BMW 525s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    BMW 525
    25.8% All 2006 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Track rod ends1.8× usual
    BMW 525
    10.4% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    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

Coil springs: 4.7% here, against 11.2% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 3.5% here, against 9.4% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 BMW 525 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% 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
    27% 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.

  • 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%
20051,073Suspension 50%
2004770Suspension 47%
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 2006 BMW 525s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score