2013 BMW 420 2.0L Diesel · M25 YAO

The 2013 BMW 420 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 16 December 2025 at 110,580 miles passed, but the tester flagged four distinct advisories, marking a clear shift from the clean record of previous years. Both nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes were worn, though not yet causing excessive movement. The nearside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover was severely deteriorated, leaving the joint exposed to contamination. A nearside front tyre was worn close to the legal limit and worn on edge, indicating possible alignment drift or prolonged underinflation. This cluster of front-end wear suggests the car has recently been driven harder or serviced less attentively than in prior years. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a 13-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 8,500 miles per year. The record shows a steady climb from 83,451 miles in December 2021 to 110,580 miles by December 2025, with no alarming gaps or sudden jumps. The 2024 test at 103,606 miles and the 2025 test at 110,580 miles confirm consistent use through the last two years, adding nearly 7,000 miles in that period. The earlier history from 2021 through 2024 is notably clean, with four consecutive passes and zero defects recorded, which implies a period of careful ownership or at least diligent pre-test preparation. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering geometry. The worn suspension arm bushes and deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage dust cover point to components that may need replacement sooner rather than later, particularly if the car has covered significant mileage since the December 2025 test. The edge wear on the nearside front tyre is a telltale sign of misalignment or worn tracking, so a four-wheel alignment check is advisable. Inspect the anti-roll bar linkage play directly, as a severely compromised dust cover accelerates joint wear and can lead to knocking or clunking over uneven surfaces. Beyond the flagged items, examine the underside for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and subframe areas, as these are common deterioration points on BMWs of this age. Check the condition of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns and verify that brake discs and pads have sufficient remaining life. The clean MOT history through 2024 suggests the car was well maintained for most of its life, but the 2025 advisories indicate a lapse in attention that warrants a thorough independent inspection before purchase.