Used car guide

1997 BMW 528i: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 528i first registered in 1997: we looked at the 287 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 287 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

287MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 BMW 528i?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 BMW 528i than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    BMW 528i
    10.5% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 1997 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.

Common 1997 BMW 528i MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 BMW 528i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% 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
    26% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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 1997 BMW 528i

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1997 BMW 528i as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 528i?

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 528i compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016468Tyres 25%
2015736Tyres 22%
2014471Tyres 23%
2013300Tyres 24%
2012210Tyres 21%
2011483Tyres 22%
2010468Tyres 23%
2000595Suspension 42%
1999689Suspension 43%
1998590Brakes 45%
1996174Suspension 44%

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 528i cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score