2004 BMW 525 2.5L Diesel · AD04 MYG

The 2004 BMW 525 presents as roadworthy following its most recent MOT pass on 29 January 2026 at 165,433 miles, with the maintenance trend appearing stable across the available record. The DVLA entry for the same date shows a failure with no defects logged, a known administrative anomaly rather than a mechanical fault, and the vehicle then passed on the same day. Across the five tests from July 2022 to January 2026, the tester raised no advisories or defects, indicating the car has not displayed worsening wear in the inspected periods. Recorded mileage moved from 150,099 in July 2022 to 165,433 by January 2026, an accumulation of roughly 15,300 miles over forty-two months or about 4,400 miles per year. That figure sits below the 7,520 miles per year implied by the vehicle's 22-year life, suggesting lighter-than-average use in recent years. The gap between the July 2023 pass at 154,514 miles and the September 2024 pass at 160,608 miles covers fourteen months and 6,094 miles, a reasonable interval that shows no abrupt accumulation or standing still for extended periods. The clean MOT history gives no flagged suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs, or structural corrosion to chase up. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection of subframe and sills for hidden rust, given the car's age and BMW's known rear chassis corrosion patterns. Verify the brake calipers are free and the exhaust emissions remain within limits, as these items escape MOT records when within tolerance yet degrade with time. The same-day fail and pass on 29 January 2026 warrants a check of the DVSA portal to confirm no omitted defect data. Previous owners kept the test record clear of consumable neglect such as tyres or wiper blades, implying basic upkeep was met. At 165,433 miles the drivetrain warrants a cold-start listen for timing chain or vanos noise not captured by MOT scrutiny.