2010 BMW 520 2.0L Diesel · JS09 FAB

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 7 April 2026 at the recorded mileage of 126,890 miles, with no advisories or defects noted by the examiner. Across the five tests documented in the supplied history, only one failure is recorded, and that was a relatively minor present-and-correct issue regarding wiper effectiveness rather than a structural or mechanical concern. The overall trend from April 2024 onwards shows a stabilising pattern, with the only flagged item being a single advisory for rear brake pad wear noted at the 2025 test. With an annual average of around 7,931 miles over sixteen years, usage sits within typical expectations for a 2010 BMW 520. No significant gaps in MOT coverage are evident from the supplied entries; however, the mileage at the most recent test is not specified beyond the headline figure, which limits detailed year-on-year progression analysis. The cadence of annual tests between April 2023 and April 2026 is consistent, suggesting regular use rather than long periods off-road, though the absence of mileage values on individual test records prevents confirmation of the exact annual increment. The failure in April 2024 was isolated to both front windscreen wipers failing to clear the glass effectively. This is a classic consumable issue rather than evidence of neglect, and the vehicle subsequently passed at the same date once replaced. The lone advisory, recorded at the April 2025 test, concerned rear brake pads wearing thin. Rear brake wear is normal on a vehicle of this age and mileage, particularly given that this model often does proportionally more braking work on the rear axle. A buyer should inspect rear pad thickness, rear disc condition, and caliper slide pins for binding, as rear braking components on E60-series 5 Series are known to seize if neglected. Given the cumulative mileage exceeding 126,000 miles, a hands-on inspection of common wear items for this chassis is sensible. Suspension components such as front control arm bushes, wishbone bushes, and coil springs should be examined for play and cracking, while the rear subframe mounting points and exhaust mounting rubbers warrant close scrutiny. Steering tie rod ends, wheel bearings, and the prop shaft centre bearing are also typical high-mileage concerns on this generation. A live scan for any stored drivetrain fault codes would complement the visual assessment, as the MOT record alone cannot verify engine or transmission internal health. Buying score: 55. Risk level: Medium.