1989 BMW 5202.0L Petrol

The vehicle shows a concerning trend regarding structural integrity that outweighs its low-mileage status. While the most recent test in June 2025 at 116,626 miles resulted in a pass, the tester identified a misting offside front shock absorber and a severely deteriorated nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover. These issues indicate the beginning of suspension wear that requires immediate preventative attention. More critically, the failure in April 2024 at 114,750 miles revealed excessive corrosion seriously affecting the strength of both the nearside and offside outer vehicle structures within 30cm of a body mounting. This represents a significant safety risk that was only addressed before the subsequent pass. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 37-year-old BMW, averaging only 3,152 miles per year over 116,626 miles. This low usage suggests minimal mechanical wear on the drivetrain and engine, but it also explains the presence of surface corrosion and component degradation typical of cars that sit stationary for long periods. The five-year gap in test records between 2017 and 2022 suggests a period of storage or infrequent use, which often correlates with the rubber-related failures and jacking point corrosion noted in the history. Engine performance also showed signs of decline during the 2024 failure, where both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon levels exceeded default limits. While the vehicle passed the emissions test later, the previously pitted and scored rear brake discs indicate that the braking system has been neglected in the past. A buyer should perform a thorough physical inspection of the chassis mounting points to ensure the repairs from the 2024 structural failure are sound and that corrosion is not rapidly returning.