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1939 IJ

1997 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Oct 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

159,639 mi
Last recorded159,639 miles
Recorded on24 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

Registration1939 IJ
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 24 Oct 2025 159,639 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 23 Oct 2025 159,639 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 17 Oct 2024 157,278 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 16 Oct 2024 157,277 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 28 Dec 2022 155,674 miles

Offside Front Inner Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 24 Dec 2022 155,662 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Inner Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 17 Dec 2021 154,195 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 16 Dec 2021 154,195 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Registration plate inscription illegible BOTH (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 18 Dec 2020 151,043 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Dec 2020 151,043 miles

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Dec 2019 147,877 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Parking Brake low

Pass 18 Dec 2018 144,411 miles

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 17 Dec 2018 144,409 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2017 141,580 miles

Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both sides (1.7.5a)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides (2.4.G.2)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides (3.5.1i)

Fail 15 Dec 2017 141,578 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort both sides (3.7.B.6a)

Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both sides (1.7.5a)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides (2.4.G.2)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides (3.5.1i)

Pass 13 Dec 2016 139,790 miles

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

Rear Brake hose slightly chafed both sides (3.6.B.4d)

Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint both sides (2.4.G.2)

Pass 17 Dec 2015 138,285 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 18 Dec 2014 136,098 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2014 136,093 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 18 Dec 2013 134,434 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2013 134,433 miles

Nearside Outer Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 11 Dec 2012 132,012 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 11 Dec 2012 132,012 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Pass 16 Dec 2011 129,845 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Fail 15 Dec 2011 129,836 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 14 Dec 2010 126,653 miles

Oil leak

Fail 13 Dec 2010 126,647 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 16 Dec 2009 123,532 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2009 123,532 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 6 Dec 2008 100,840 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2007 75,163 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2006 72,297 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2005 65,847 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 523?

Based on 254,660 MOT tests across 20,979 vehicles.

69.9%
Pass Rate
5,849
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
20,979
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,201
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,085
parking brake recording little or no effort 9,427
Brake pipe excessively corroded 9,143
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 7,285
Full BMW 523 reliability report

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1939 IJ is a 1997 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1997 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 121,619 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 523 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 17,201 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 1939 IJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 523 typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 523 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 1939 IJ?

You can check the full history of 1939 IJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 1939 IJ registered?

1939 IJ is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 30 June 1997.

Is 1939 IJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for 1939 IJ shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 1939 IJ 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 1939 IJ. 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.