Used car guide

2000 BMW 525i: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 525i first registered in 2000: we looked at the 273 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 273 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

273MOTs of 2000 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 61%)
5,500typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 BMW 525i?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 BMW 525i than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Engine oil leaks2× usual
    BMW 525i
    30.4% All 2000 cars
    15.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2000 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.

Common 2000 BMW 525i MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 BMW 525i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 BMW 525i

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2000 BMW 525i as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 525i?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 525i compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009531Suspension 26%
2008770Suspension 28%
2007827Suspension 33%
2006874Suspension 33%
2005930Suspension 40%
20041,482Suspension 44%
20031,098Suspension 40%
20021,280Suspension 36%
20011,321Suspension 40%
1995263Suspension 35%
1994150Brakes 44%
1993120Suspension 47%
1992103Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 525i cars first registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score