CarVerify

Free Car Check

AR05 BAB

2005 BMW 520

Black Diesel 1995cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Apr 2026
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

158,610 mi
Last recorded158,610 miles
Recorded on3 Apr 2025
Typical for 2005 BMW 520112,763 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationAR05 BAB
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2005
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,995cc

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 11 fail
Pass 3 Apr 2025 158,610 miles

Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear handbrake low effort

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

Fail 1 Apr 2025 158,565 miles

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

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

Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear handbrake low effort

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

Fail 20 Mar 2025 158,386 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust corroded

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc backing plate insecure

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 21 Feb 2025 158,007 miles

Emissions unable to be completed engine oil level below minimum mark (8.2.1.2 (d))

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing loose (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle. (5.2.3 (b))

Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced due to light unit tinting (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output offside & nearside (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

VIN / Emissions plate value sticker missing

Pass 26 Feb 2024 148,132 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear welded

Nearside Rear wheel welded

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

engine cover fitted

under covers fitted

Fail 13 Feb 2024 148,126 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear welded

Nearside Rear wheel welded

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

engine cover fitted

under covers fitted

Fail 29 Aug 2023 148,055 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Central Rear Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

all rear suspension bushs worn

Pass 3 Sep 2022 143,322 miles
Fail 27 Aug 2022 143,319 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Aug 2021 139,314 miles

both rear tyres worn on inner edges

condition of both head lamp plastics

Pass 29 Aug 2020 135,851 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 22 Aug 2020 135,845 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 17 Aug 2019 132,578 miles

front exhaust flexy worn slight leak

Pass 24 Aug 2018 128,101 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2017 119,363 miles
Pass 28 Feb 2017 115,147 miles

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

Nearside Front 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 8 Feb 2016 100,621 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Feb 2016 100,621 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2015 94,346 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is slightly worn (3.1.5)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

suspect fault on boot lock/switch advises on dash that boot is open when closed

tyre preesure warning light on

Fail 24 Feb 2015 93,901 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 6 Jan 2014 82,636 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2014 82,636 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is excessively worn (3.1.5) DANGEROUS

Pass 6 Dec 2012 71,207 miles
Fail 3 Dec 2012 71,169 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 10 Nov 2011 60,244 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2011 53,525 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 11 Jan 2010 41,139 miles
Pass 1 Jan 2009 33,146 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 1,661,806 MOT tests across 152,584 vehicles.

78.5%
Pass Rate
7,968
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
152,584
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47,121
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22,647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,724
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15,884
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 14,720
Full BMW 520 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

AR05 BAB is a 2005 BMW 520 in Black with a 1,995cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

Across all 2005 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.9% with a typical mileage of 112,763 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 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying AR05 BAB, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 520 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 21 years old, this BMW 520 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AR05 BAB?

You can check the full history of AR05 BAB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AR05 BAB registered?

AR05 BAB is a 2005 BMW 520, first registered on 14 December 2005.

Is AR05 BAB safe to buy?

The MOT history for AR05 BAB shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AR05 BAB 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 AR05 BAB. 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.