Bmw 525
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 27 years from 28,126 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
80%
Total Tests
28,126
Best Year
2016 (91%)
Years Covered
27
How reliable is the Bmw 525?
Bmw 525 by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 76% | 37 | 63,347 mi |
| 2016 | 91% | 426 | 92,921 mi |
| 2015 | 89% | 881 | 98,550 mi |
| 2014 | 89% | 813 | 108,795 mi |
| 2013 | 84% | 448 | 116,973 mi |
| 2012 | 82% | 669 | 119,797 mi |
| 2011 | 87% | 1,652 | 127,862 mi |
| 2010 | 86% | 1,697 | 129,103 mi |
| 2009 | 85% | 2,283 | 138,274 mi |
| 2008 | 82% | 2,974 | 147,855 mi |
| 2007 | 81% | 3,218 | 153,182 mi |
| 2006 | 81% | 2,842 | 152,320 mi |
| 2005 | 80% | 3,057 | 158,580 mi |
| 2004 | 77% | 1,980 | 146,538 mi |
| 2003 | 76% | 1,425 | 139,542 mi |
| 2002 | 79% | 1,357 | 140,217 mi |
| 2001 | 76% | 894 | 138,556 mi |
| 2000 | 70% | 161 | 134,867 mi |
| 1998 | 70% | 33 | 153,429 mi |
| 1997 | 86% | 49 | 127,831 mi |
| 1996 | 78% | 206 | 143,832 mi |
| 1995 | 80% | 363 | 147,789 mi |
| 1994 | 78% | 280 | 142,062 mi |
| 1993 | 82% | 137 | 142,304 mi |
| 1992 | 76% | 100 | 130,213 mi |
| 1991 | 78% | 74 | 120,250 mi |
| 1990 | 69% | 70 | 128,725 mi |
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About the Bmw 525
The Bmw 525 has been tested 28,126 times in 2024 MOT data across 27 model years (1990 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.
Best and Worst Years
The 2016 model is the most reliable with a 91% pass rate from 426 tests. The 1990 model has the lowest at 69%. With a 22 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
Newer BMW 525s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 128,725 miles, while the newest (2017) averages 63,347 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.
Compared to the Bmw brand average of 88%, the 525 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Bmw models.
Click any year in the table above to see detailed running costs, individual reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.