Used car guide

2008 BMW 525: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 BMW 525s, from 1,272 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,272MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,700typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for link ball joint covers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 BMW 525s than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    BMW 525
    7.5% All 2008 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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.

  • Flexible brake hoses1.9× usual
    BMW 525
    7.5% All 2008 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.8% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Coil springs: 5.5% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 BMW 525 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    25% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

Looking at a BMW 525?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011706Tyres 31%
2010779Tyres 30%
20091,014Suspension 36%
20071,358Suspension 43%
20061,052Suspension 44%
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 2008 BMW 525s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score