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L20 SJO

2005 BMW 525

Silver Diesel 2497cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Nov 2026
Tests31 (17 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate54.8%

Mileage

157,437 mi
Last recorded157,437 miles
Recorded on4 Nov 2025
Typical for 2005 BMW 525108,598 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL20 SJO
MakeBMW
Model525
Year2005
ColourSilver
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,497cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

17 pass 14 fail
Pass 4 Nov 2025 157,437 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear exhaust shield loose

Fail 4 Nov 2025 157,436 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear exhaust shield loose

Pass 27 Nov 2024 151,945 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both front (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 26 Nov 2024 151,942 miles

Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Both front upper (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Exhaust system insecure back box (6.1.2 (a))

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both front (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 19 Dec 2023 148,952 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2023 145,152 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2023 145,144 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 14 Jan 2022 139,361 miles
Fail 14 Jan 2022 139,361 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 8 Jan 2021 135,851 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2019 124,363 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2019 124,217 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Service brake imbalanced across an axle FRONTS (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick FRONT INNERS APPEER WORN (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment (2.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

TYRE PRESSURE LIGHT ON

Fail 1 Apr 2019 120,423 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn lower bush, hub to lower arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 12 Jul 2018 112,885 miles

Tyre pressure monitoring light on

Fail 11 Jul 2018 112,885 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Tyre pressure monitoring light on

Pass 24 Jun 2017 99,851 miles
Fail 18 Jan 2017 97,641 miles

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 17 Feb 2016 94,130 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2015 93,384 miles
Fail 12 Nov 2015 93,321 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear ,&to rear flexi (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded from flexi to master clinder (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 29 Oct 2014 84,492 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Inner Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 29 Oct 2014 84,492 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Inner Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 31 Oct 2013 73,317 miles

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Inner Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Inner Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 30 Oct 2012 66,002 miles

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear reflector slightly damaged but function not impaired (1.5.1c)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 30 Oct 2012 66,002 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Inner Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear reflector slightly damaged but function not impaired (1.5.1c)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 31 Oct 2011 56,803 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 31 Oct 2011 56,803 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 11 Oct 2010 44,985 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2010 44,985 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f) DANGEROUS

Pass 18 Nov 2008 20,836 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2008 20,836 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

How Reliable is the BMW 525?

Based on 724,963 MOT tests across 56,965 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
7,259
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
56,965
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 33,171
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,448
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,227
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 10,065
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 9,710
Full BMW 525 reliability report

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L20 SJO is a 2005 BMW 525 in Silver with a 2,497cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.8%.

Across all 2005 BMW 525 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.4% with a typical mileage of 108,598 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW 525 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 33,171 recorded failures. If you're considering buying L20 SJO, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 525 typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 21 years old, this BMW 525 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L20 SJO?

You can check the full history of L20 SJO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L20 SJO registered?

L20 SJO is a 2005 BMW 525, first registered on 26 September 2005.

Is L20 SJO safe to buy?

The MOT history for L20 SJO shows 31 tests with a 54.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L20 SJO have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on L20 SJO. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.