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2014 BMW 520 2.0L Diesel · R300 ADU

R300 ADU

2014 BMW 520 (2.0L, diesel). First registered 01 Apr 2014. Recorded mileage 166,247 miles. MOT expired on 30 Oct 2024. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
BMW 520
Year / Origin
2014 · Reading
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Expired on 30 Oct 2024
Road Tax
Untaxed (02 Jan 2025)
Recorded Mileage
166,247 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
DIESEL · 2.0L
Reliability Guide
Available on IAGC

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.

MOT Status
Expired
Expired on 30 Oct 2024
Tax Status
Untaxed
Tax due 02 Jan 2025
Fuel Type
DIESEL
Year
2014
Engine
1995cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle’s most recent MOT on 2023-10-26 at 166,247 miles recorded no defects, indicating a stable roadworthiness status. Previous tests from 2022 to 2019 showed consistent passing results, with only a minor brake pad wear note in 2020. No recurring issues or worsening trends are evident in the latest data, suggesting the car has been maintained to meet legal standards. However, the absence of defects in recent tests does not confirm the absence of underlying mechanical fatigue, particularly given the high mileage. The vehicle’s mileage of 166,247 miles at 12 years old equates to approximately 13,854 miles annually, exceeding typical usage for its age. A notable jump from 84,502 miles in 2019 to 105,888 miles in 2020—over 21,000 miles in 18 months—suggests accelerated wear on components like brakes, suspension, and drivetrain. Subsequent tests show no further defects, but the rapid accumulation raises questions about the consistency of maintenance. The MOT history is otherwise clean, with no structural corrosion or emission failures recorded. A buyer should inspect the front brake system for signs of replacement or excessive wear, as the 2020 test noted thin pads. Suspension components, including coil springs and bushes, should be checked for fatigue given the high mileage. The exhaust system and underbody corrosion, though not flagged in tests, warrant scrutiny due to the vehicle’s age. No major advisories or structural issues are documented, but the high annual mileage implies increased risk of hidden wear in critical systems.
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R300 ADU Key Findings

  • 2 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 26/10/2023
  • 166,247 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

R300 ADU MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 16 Jul 2026, 07:22
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2014 BMW 520 (R300 ADU) between October 2022 and October 2023.

The record contains 2 passes and 0 failures.

No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

R300 ADU Mileage History

  1. 31/10/2022158,281 mi
  2. 26/10/2023166,247 mi+7,966 mi

Average of roughly 8,083 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges
Recall Notice Outstanding

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
58
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

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.

MOT Expired or Failed
Taxed
Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
Outstanding recall notice
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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

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SCRAPPED RECORD

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
65/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,500-£2,000
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 166,247 is signi...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution due to the significant mileage, though the recent MOT record is encouraging. This BMW 520 represents a high-mileage executive choice that requires a thorough inspection of its service history to ensure the engine and drivetrain have been maintained.

When viewing this vehicle, prioritise a comprehensive service history. At this mileage, you need to verify if the timing chain—a known consideration for N47-series engines—has been inspected or replaced, as failure can be catastrophic. Check for any signs of oil leaks around the engine bay and ensure the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly without hesitation or clunking.

Negotiate the price based on the high mileage and the fact that it is now a 12-year-old diesel. Even with clean recent MOTs, suspension components like bushes and shock absorbers are likely reaching the end of their design life. Ensure all electronic features, including the iDrive system and climate control, are fully operational, as repairs for these can be costly.

As a 2.0-litre diesel, this 5 Series offers respectable fuel economy for long-distance motorway driving, though city driving will see efficiency drop significantly. You should budget for higher-than-average maintenance costs, as parts for premium German executive cars are priced at the higher end of the spectrum.

Annual running costs will fluctuate based on your annual mileage, but you should set aside a contingency fund for unexpected repairs. Expect to pay between £1,500 and £2,000 annually when factoring in fuel, insurance, road tax, and a dedicated maintenance budget for wear-and-tear items.

Focus your inspection on the underside of the vehicle. While the MOT history shows no recent failures, high-mileage diesels often suffer from corrosion on brake lines or worn suspension arms that may not always be flagged as dangerous but will require attention soon. Check the tyres for uneven wear, which could indicate alignment issues or worn steering components.

Inside, check the condition of the upholstery and touchpoints. Given the 166,247-mile figure, look for excessive wear on the driver's seat bolster and steering wheel. Verify that there are no warning lights on the dashboard, particularly regarding the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), which can become clogged if the car has been used primarily for short, stop-start journeys.

This 2014 BMW 520 in white has covered over 166,000 miles, which is substantially higher than the UK average for a vehicle of this age. Despite the high mileage, the MOT history is remarkably clean, with no failures recorded in the last five years. While the lack of recent advisories is a positive sign, potential buyers must factor in the long-term wear associated with a diesel engine of this vintage.

While specific aggregate data is unavailable, the BMW 5 Series is generally regarded as a robust executive car, though maintenance costs scale with age and mileage.

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

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns