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B1 DSK

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 May 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

171,895 mi
Last recorded171,895 miles
Recorded on29 May 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB1 DSK
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourSilver
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 16 fail
Fail 29 May 2026 171,895 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel very spongy possible air leak on servo (1.1.2 (a))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 21 May 2025 170,369 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Underside Corrosion

Pass 14 May 2024 169,139 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Fail 13 May 2024 169,137 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 22 May 2023 167,888 miles

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

Fail 10 May 2023 167,886 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Pass 13 May 2022 166,628 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and o/s/r (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear and o/s/r floors to sills coroding

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 19 Apr 2022 166,619 miles

Central Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear 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))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 8 Apr 2021 164,057 miles

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

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

Nearside Front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 22 Apr 2020 162,572 miles

Central Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded Fuel lines corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre cracking at side wall to tread

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Indicators flashing slightly as white light

Fail 8 Apr 2020 162,549 miles

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

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Holed and separated from outer sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded Corroded at end to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting Holed and separated from outer sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Central Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded Fuel lines corroded

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre cracking at side wall to tread

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Indicators flashing slightly as white light

Pass 9 Apr 2019 160,612 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect both damp (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 8 Apr 2019 160,606 miles

Emissions not tested coolant leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect both damp (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 11 Apr 2018 158,870 miles
Fail 10 Apr 2018 158,865 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar 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)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 23 Mar 2017 156,520 miles

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured both (1.4.A.2f)

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil both (2.7.3)

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

Pass 30 Mar 2016 153,830 miles

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

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

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

slight oil leak

slight play inner steering rack joints

Fail 29 Mar 2016 153,824 miles

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

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

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

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

slight oil leak

slight play inner steering rack joints

Pass 26 Mar 2015 151,938 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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 11 Mar 2014 149,533 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2014 149,531 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2013 147,705 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2013 147,702 miles

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

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

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

Pass 22 Mar 2012 144,306 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)

catalytic converter rattling

noisy aux belt

oil leak

power steering resevoir damp

sills corroded and unable to fully inspect

Fail 22 Mar 2012 144,306 miles

Offside Front Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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)

catalytic converter rattling

noisy aux belt

oil leak

power steering resevoir damp

sills corroded and unable to fully inspect

Pass 23 Mar 2011 142,574 miles

windows tinted

Fail 22 Mar 2011 142,573 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

windows tinted

Pass 19 Mar 2010 140,540 miles

odd size tyres front and rear axles

tinted glass

Fail 18 Mar 2010 140,538 miles

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

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

Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

low effort o/s park brake

odd size tyres front and rear axles

tinted glass

Pass 23 Mar 2009 137,186 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

corrosion brake pipes

corrosion sills

o/s/f tyre fouled on inner wall?

windows tinted

Fail 20 Mar 2009 137,183 miles

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

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

corrosion brake pipes

corrosion sills

o/s/f tyre fouled on inner wall?

windows tinted

Pass 19 Mar 2008 134,528 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

both front anti roll bar link joit boots split

Fail 19 Mar 2008 134,537 miles

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

both front anti roll bar link joit boots split

o/s parking brake low effort

Pass 9 Mar 2007 132,097 miles

both front anti roll bar link boots split

Fail 9 Mar 2007 132,096 miles

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

both front anti roll bar link joint boots split

Pass 20 Mar 2006 127,731 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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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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B1 DSK is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 B1 DSK, 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 B1 DSK?

You can check the full history of B1 DSK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B1 DSK registered?

B1 DSK is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 19 August 1997.

Is B1 DSK safe to buy?

The MOT history for B1 DSK shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B1 DSK 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 B1 DSK. 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.