2016 BMW 520 2.0L Diesel · SV 5823

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 July 2026 resulted in a pass, accompanied by two advisories relating to wear on the nearside and offside front inner brake discs, characterised as pitted but not seriously weakened. Looking at the broader MOT history, the vehicle has passed consistently since a failed test in November 2021, with defects recorded in 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026, suggesting a maintenance trend that is broadly stable but one where wear-related advisories are accumulating rather than diminishing. The 2022 dangerous failure for excessively worn rear brake pads and the subsequent 2023 advisories on front tyres indicate that consumable items are being renewed in response to test findings rather than preventively, and the recurrence of brake and tyre advisories across multiple consecutive tests points to a vehicle on which braking components and tyres may require closer budgeting than a comparable example with a cleaner record. With 98,718 miles recorded over approximately ten years, this BMW 520 is averaging close to 9,900 miles per annum, which is broadly typical for its age and suggests a balance between motorway use and shorter running that generally favours longevity. There is no evidence in the MOT record of significant mileage gaps or rapid accumulation in a short window, which means major drivetrain components such as the engine, automatic transmission and turbocharger (for the expected diesel or petrol unit of this era) have been worked consistently rather than left to deteriorate from standing. That said, a ten year old BMW of this mileage will be approaching the second replacement cycle for certain wear items, including the timing chain service on petrol variants or the timing belt on diesel units if applicable, and a thorough review of the service history stamps is essential to confirm these intervals have been observed. Given the recurring brake disc advisories on the front axle across the 2025 and 2026 tests, a prospective buyer should budget for front disc and pad replacement in the near term. Pitting and scoring on the inner disc faces typically results from corrosion accumulating on the hub-mounted mating surface and from infrequent heavy braking, and on a test drive you may notice brake shudder through the steering wheel under firm application, or a pulsing sensation from the pedal. It is also worth asking whether the discs have been machined or replaced previously, as repeatedly skimmed discs become thin and prone to thermal distortion. The 2023 advisories on both front tyres being close to the legal limit, together with the 2022 dangerous failure on rear pads, suggest the previous keeper may have been running the car close to its maintenance limits, so all four tyres should be inspected for age-related sidewall cracking as well as tread depth, and a budget allowed for a full set if any are over five years old or perished. Beyond the recorded MOT items, several age and mileage related checks are strongly recommended for a ten year old 5 Series approaching 100,000 miles. The November 2021 failure for a fractured offside front coil spring indicates that suspension components have already required replacement on that side, and on a test drive over speed humps and uneven surfaces you should listen for any clonking from the front strut, top mount or anti-roll bar bushes, all of which are common renewal items on this chassis. Coolant, brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid all degrade with calendar age regardless of mileage, and confirmation that a brake fluid change has been carried out within the last two years is important due to its hygroscopic nature. The 12V battery in the boot or engine bay should be load tested, as a ten year old original unit is likely at the end of its service life and can cause random electrical faults on BMW vehicles of this generation. Finally, inspect the underside for any oil or coolant leaks from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing and rear differential, check that the air conditioning blows cold, and verify that the digital instrument cluster and iDrive infotainment are functioning correctly, as electronics are a known weak point on F10 chassis 5 Series models of this vintage.