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A5 XAR

1989 BMW 535

Black Petrol 3430cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Jun 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

175,004 mi
Last recorded175,004 miles
Recorded on27 Jun 2025
Typical for 1989 BMW 535145,225 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationA5 XAR
MakeBMW
Model535
Year1989
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,430cc

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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 27 Jun 2025 175,004 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear 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 27 Jun 2024 174,625 miles

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

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 24 Jun 2024 174,621 miles

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (8.2.1.2 (f))

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 19 May 2023 174,096 miles

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front nearside front body sill is corroded.

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front offside front inner body sill is corroded.

Pass 5 May 2022 173,311 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Nearside front floor corroded

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 3 May 2022 173,311 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle missing (7.1.2 (d))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Rear Fuel pipe leaking Metal pipe alongside filler neck (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside front floor corroded

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 11 May 2021 172,549 miles

Exhaust mounting defective down pipe to gearbox (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front outer body sill holed

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 7 May 2021 172,548 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Seat belt missing center buckle (7.1.2 (a))

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

Fuel pipe so insecure there is a risk of fire fuel filter inscure (6.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective down pipe to gearbox (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front outer body sill holed

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Body panel slightly loose wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 17 Apr 2020 171,743 miles

Nearside Front Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced seal corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Body panel slightly loose front wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 15 Apr 2020 171,732 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced seal corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Body panel slightly loose front wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Apr 2019 170,084 miles

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

Fail 18 Mar 2019 170,015 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated (1.1.6 (d))

Power steering pump leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 11 Apr 2018 167,513 miles

Oil leaking on too nsf suspension bush

Pass 18 Apr 2017 165,075 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play intermediate shaft (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer body sill holed and corroded

Oil leak poss power steering ()

exhaust down pipe mount broken

Fail 13 Apr 2017 165,059 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' rear view mirror stuff (8.3.1e)

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play intermediate shaft (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer body sill holed and corroded

Oil leak poss power steering ()

exhaust down pipe mount broken

Pass 15 Apr 2016 163,075 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both front (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside front outer sill holed

Rear axle bushes weak

Fail 9 Jan 2016 163,075 miles

Offside Front Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Rear Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both front (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside front outer sill holed

Rear axle bushes weak

Fail 13 Oct 2015 163,073 miles

Ball joint has excessive play to steering box arm (2.2.B.1f)

Brake pipe excessively corroded Both front to rear and offside rear from flexi (3.6.B.2c)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement rearmost (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement rearmost (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Steering pivot point has excessive play Nearside idler arm (2.2.B.1g)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Fuel pipes badly corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside front outer sill holed

Rear axle bushes weak

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Pass 5 Jul 2014 160,584 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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)

Pass 23 Jul 2013 157,132 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2012 152,739 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2011 147,845 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2010 141,492 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2010 141,490 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Pass 10 Jun 2009 135,312 miles

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

Pass 22 May 2008 129,145 miles

nearside and offside front anti roll bar linkage upper dust cover split

Fail 22 May 2008 129,145 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

nearside and offside front anti roll bar linkage upper dust cover split

Pass 8 Jun 2007 124,151 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2007 124,150 miles

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Jun 2006 117,871 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 535?

Based on 216,162 MOT tests across 18,035 vehicles.

78.7%
Pass Rate
7,094
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
18,035
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,346
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,237
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,669
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,608
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,438
Full BMW 535 reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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A5 XAR is a 1989 BMW 535 in Black with a 3,430cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1989 BMW 535 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 145,225 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 535 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,346 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A5 XAR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 535 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 37 years old, this BMW 535 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A5 XAR?

You can check the full history of A5 XAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A5 XAR registered?

A5 XAR is a 1989 BMW 535, first registered on 1 February 1989.

Is A5 XAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for A5 XAR shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A5 XAR 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 A5 XAR. 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.