2011 BMW 520 2.0L Diesel · LS61 UBD
2011 BMW 520 (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Oct 2011. Recorded mileage 142,204 miles. MOT valid until 06 Apr 2027. Taxed until 01 Apr 2027. No outstanding manufacturer safety recalls recorded.
- Make & Model
- BMW 520
- Year / Origin
- 2011 · Wimbledon (South London)
- Safety Recall
- None Outstanding
- MOT Status
- Valid until 06 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Apr 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 142,204 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- DIESEL · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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LS61 UBD Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 02/04/2026
- 142,204 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LS61 UBD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2011 BMW 520 (LS61 UBD) between July 2022 and April 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 02 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (6 issues), Tyres (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))”.
LS61 UBD Mileage History
- 06/07/2022124,273 mi
- 04/04/2024131,552 mi+7,279 mi
- 01/04/2025134,769 mi+3,217 mi
- 08/04/2025134,805 mi+36 mi
- 02/04/2026142,204 mi+7,399 mi
Average of roughly 4,794 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
This 2011 BMW 520d is a reasonable prosp
Given the April 2025 MOT failure citing a fractured nearside front coil spring and excessively worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, these components must be physically inspected before purchase. Ask the seller for receipts confirming whether the failed items were replaced; the subsequent April 2025 pass and clean April 2026 test suggest remedial work was carried out, but verification is worthwhile. The 2022 test recorded slight play in both front lower suspension arm ball joints and a corroded offside rear coil spring, indicating that suspension wear is a recurring theme for this specific car. With 142,204 miles on the clock, expect wear items beyond suspension, including timing chain service history on the N47 diesel engine if not already addressed. Negotiate accordingly, factoring in potential upcoming maintenance on a high-mileage diesel executive saloon.
The 1995cc diesel engine in this 520d should return around 50-55 mpg on a combined cycle, depending on driving style, though real-world figures for a car at this mileage may be lower. Road tax for a 2011 520d typically falls in a reasonable band given its CO2 output, though exact figures should be confirmed via the DVLA. Insurance for a BMW 5 Series sits in the upper-middle groups, and combined with diesel servicing costs and replacement suspension components, running costs will be moderate to high. Estimated annual running cost: £1,400-£1,800.
Pay particular attention to the front suspension: the April 2025 fail flagged a fractured nearside front coil spring and worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, so check for knocking, uneven tyre wear, and uneven ride height. Inspect both rear coil springs for corrosion, as the 2022 test noted an offside rear coil spring corroded. Tyres should be checked thoroughly given the recurring advisories on rear tyre wear in both 2025 tests; uneven wear patterns can indicate suspension or alignment issues. Beyond the MOT data, the N47 diesel engine in this generation of 5 Series is known for timing chain stretch on higher-mileage examples, so verify service history and listen for rattle on cold start.
This grey BMW 520d, first registered in October 2011, has covered 142,204 miles across five MOT tests spanning from 2022 to 2026. The vehicle has recorded one fail (April 2025) alongside four passes, with the most recent test in April 2026 showing no defects. The mileage of 142,204 against the model average of 8,686 miles per year is notably above the typical annual figure for this model. Suspension-related advisories and failures appear consistently across the MOT history.
The BMW 520d has an MOT pass rate of 82.8% across 90,758 vehicles analysed, placing it broadly in line with the wider executive diesel segment. The most frequently cited failure reasons for this model are tyres, shock absorbers, and brake pads, which aligns with the wear patterns observed on this particular car.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
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Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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