2008 BMW 635 3.0L Diesel · SP08 XRG

The vehicle was last presented for MOT on 28 February 2022 and achieved a pass with no defects or advisories recorded, which on the surface represents a clean roadworthy outcome. However, a closer review of the history reveals a mixed pattern rather than a steadily improving or consistently strong trend. The most recent test prior to that, in March 2021, carried advisories relating to a rear wheel bearing and a front shock absorber oil mist, while the 2020 attempt failed outright on a nearside front inner suspension arm ball joint with excessive play. Advisories on tyre edge wear and front brake disc condition in 2019 and 2016 further suggest a vehicle whose consumable components are receiving regular attention but where chassis and suspension items have been showing progressive wear. The fact that the latest test passed without comment is positive, but a prospective buyer should not interpret this in isolation given the 2020 failure and the advisories issued in the preceding years. With 172,317 miles recorded over an 18 year working life, the vehicle averages roughly 9,500 to 10,000 miles annually, which sits broadly within typical parameters for a car of this age and type. The MOT record shows tests roughly annually between 2016 and 2022 with no obvious multi-year gaps, indicating the car has remained in active use rather than having been laid up for extended periods. That said, the relatively modest annual mileage does not shield the vehicle from age-related deterioration, and with an E64-generation 635 now well into its late teens, calendar-based wear on rubber, plastics, seals, and fluids is highly relevant. Any maintenance gaps implied by the absence of more frequent service stamps in the documented history should be investigated through the service book and accompanying invoices. The 2020 failure on the nearside front inner suspension arm ball joint and the recurring advisories on shock absorbers and a rear wheel bearing are the most significant items in the file. Inner suspension arm ball joints are a known wear point on this platform, and although the part was presumably replaced at the time of the failure, the opposite side should be inspected for similar play as these components often wear in tandem. The 2021 advisory noting slight play in an offside rear wheel bearing suggests early stage wear that may now have progressed, so a test drive listening for a humming or droning noise that changes with cornering, or a wandering sensation from the rear, would be informative. The shock absorber misting flagged in both 2021 and 2016 is also worth monitoring; light oil seepage typically worsens over time, so the units should be checked for any heavy residue, and damping performance evaluated by pressing firmly on each corner and watching for sustained bouncing. The 2019 advisory regarding all four tyres worn on their edges points to either an alignment issue or worn suspension bushes allowing camber variation, and a four-wheel alignment check along with a close inspection of front control arm and trailing arm bushes would be prudent given the high mileage. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and mileage profile of this 635 warrants thorough physical inspection in several areas. Tyres should be examined not only for tread depth but for sidewall cracking and perishing, as rubber degrades with time regardless of wear, and any tyres over six years old should be replaced on safety grounds. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as prolonged standing and short journeys of the kind implied by the annual mileage can shorten battery life, and a weak battery can also mask wider electrical faults. Brake calipers, particularly at the rear, are prone to seizing on vehicles that see light or infrequent use, so each wheel should be checked for free rotation when jacked and for uneven pad wear. Coolant, brake fluid, and gearbox oil should be confirmed as recently serviced, as these fluids degrade on a calendar basis irrespective of mileage. Finally, the underside should be examined for corrosion, paying particular attention to suspension subframes, brake lines, and exhaust mounting points, while a thorough scan for any fault codes stored in the engine and gearbox control units would be advisable given the complexity and age of this model.