Is the 2017 BMW 525 reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of BMW 525s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 37 tests. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2017 BMW 525 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,787 (£149/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 BMW 525?

The 2017 BMW 525 has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 37 tests in 2026. This ranks 562 out of 579 cars from 2017.

Which year BMW 525 is most reliable?

The 2016 BMW 525 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 1990 at 69%.

What is the average mileage for a 2017 BMW 525?

The average mileage for a 2017 BMW 525 is 63,347 miles, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 525 (2017)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,787

£149/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £1787/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Diesel1995cc9 years old37 tests63k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,787

Per month£149/mo

Per week£34/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 9 years old, 76% of BMW 525s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 63,347 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars562th of 579(top 97%)

Rank among BMW models1485th of 1,564(top 95%)

vs national average-6%(82% avg)

vs 2017 cars average-11%(87% avg)

vs BMW average-12%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

63,347

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW 525 has 63,347 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2017 sits between the two at 76%.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2017 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

+15%

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+13%

AUDI A3

2015 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,445/year

88%

+12%

FORD TRANSIT

2017 · 1995cc Diesel

£1,632/year

81%

+5%

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About the 2017 BMW 525

The 2017 BMW 525 is a premium with a 1995cc diesel engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 97% of 2017 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 63,347 miles at 9 years old, BMW 525 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2017 BMW 525 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2017 BMW 525?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,787 (£149/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 525 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 525s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2017 BMW 525

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 91%. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 BMW 525's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2017 BMW 525 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 525(2017)	76%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1787
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£437
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£287
AUDI A3(2015)	88%	£905	£135	Grp 12-25	£1445-£342
FORD TRANSIT(2017)	81%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632-£155

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.