2002 BMW 525I SE 2.5L 5 Door Manual Touring Estate 2.5L Petrol · SC 5656
2002 BMW 525I SE 2.5L 5 Door Manual Touring Estate (2.5L, petrol). First registered 26 Mar 2002. Recorded mileage 156,200 miles. MOT valid until 18 Sept 2027. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 525I SE 2.5L 5 DOOR MANUAL TOURING ESTATE
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 18 Sept 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 156,200 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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SC 5656 Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 17/09/2026
- 156,200 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
SC 5656 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 2002 Bmw 525I Se 2.5L 5 Door Manual Touring Estate (SC 5656) between May 2024 and September 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 17 September 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (6 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 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 dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii”; “Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a bod”; “Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))”.
SC 5656 Mileage History
- 24/05/2024150,084 mi
- 19/09/2024150,118 mi+34 mi
- 20/09/2025152,331 mi+2,213 mi
- 15/09/2026156,199 mi+3,868 mi
- 17/09/2026156,200 mi+1 mi
Average of roughly 2,641 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
Exercise significant caution. While the
The priority for any buyer should be the quality of the structural repairs carried out following the May 2024 failure. You should verify whether the offside rear chassis corrosion was professionally welded or merely patched. Given the repeated advisories for corrosion on suspension mountings and sills between 2022 and 2023, a thorough underbody inspection is essential.
Check the service records specifically for evidence of repairs to the oil leak noted in September 2024. Additionally, ensure the rear suspension components have been replaced rather than just patched, as the vehicle has a history of worn bushes and deteriorated ball joint dust covers.
Operating a 2.5L petrol engine in a heavy touring estate will result in relatively high fuel costs, especially in urban environments. This vehicle falls into a higher tax bracket typical of early 2000s large-capacity petrol engines, and insurance will vary based on the driver's profile but generally remains moderate for a vehicle of this age.
Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than average due to the vehicle's age and mileage. Expect ongoing expenditure on suspension bushings and rust prevention to keep the car roadworthy, alongside standard servicing for a high-mileage BMW engine.
Focus your inspection on the rear chassis and sills. Specifically, examine the offside rear jacking point and the surrounding 30cm area to ensure the previous 'excessive corrosion' has been permanently rectified. Inspect the nearside and offside rear suspension mounting areas, as these were flagged as corroded in 2022.
Mechanically, check for any active oil leaks, referencing the 2024 advisory. Listen for any humming or grinding sounds from the rear wheels, as the offside rear wheel bearing was a cause for failure in May 2024. Finally, check the condition of the rear tyres to ensure they are not worn close to the legal limit, a recurring issue in this vehicle's history.
This silver 2002 BMW Touring estate has covered 152,331 miles. The MOT history is marked by a serious failure in May 2024 due to excessive chassis corrosion at the offside rear jacking point, following several years of corrosion advisories. Although it passed its September 2025 test without defects, the historical pattern of rust and suspension wear remains a primary concern.
Aggregate data for this model indicates a vulnerability to chassis corrosion and wheel bearing failures, both of which are present in this vehicle's history.
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
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Batch Registration Neighbors (SC56 Series)
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BMW 525I SE 2.5L 5 DOOR MANUAL TOURING ESTATE Model Intelligence & Reliability
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