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B3 BLS

1998 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 May 2027
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

103,412 mi
Last recorded103,412 miles
Recorded on12 May 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationB3 BLS
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
ColourGreen
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 5 fail
Pass 12 May 2026 103,412 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside sill slight damage

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

Fail 12 May 2026 103,412 miles

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

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside sill slight damage

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

Pass 13 Nov 2024 101,761 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2023 96,944 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive at steering rack mist of oil (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 30 Oct 2023 96,944 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Fluid leak, but not excessive at steering rack mist of oil (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2022 89,423 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2021 82,343 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2020 97,477 miles

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

Slight seepage at steering rack

Pass 10 Apr 2019 74,918 miles

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

Pass 20 Feb 2018 73,067 miles

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

rear brake discs corroding

Pass 21 Feb 2017 68,768 miles

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

rear brake discs corroding

steering rack slightly damp

Pass 19 Feb 2016 64,879 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2016 64,879 miles

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

n/s/r tyre wearing bald on inner edge

o/s/r tyre tread depth low (2mm) and wearing bald on inner edge

Pass 20 Feb 2015 61,585 miles

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

rear brake discs corroded

rear tyres tread worn low on inner edges

Pass 20 Feb 2014 57,208 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

steering rack misted

Pass 22 Feb 2013 53,569 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

rear discs worn and corroded

Pass 3 Feb 2012 48,070 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front number plate cracked

os handbrake effort a bit low

rear discs worn and corroded

rear number plate delaminating

Fail 2 Feb 2012 48,070 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front number plate cracked

os handbrake effort a bit low

rear discs worn and corroded

rear number plate delaminating

Pass 1 Feb 2011 44,434 miles

N/S/R jacking block missing

front number plate cracked

rear brake discs corroded

rear number plate has water damage

slight seepage from power steering rack

Pass 28 Jan 2010 39,143 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 28 Jan 2009 33,532 miles

rear tyres worn on inner edges

Pass 25 Jan 2008 30,259 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2008 30,259 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 26 Jan 2007 27,229 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2006 24,265 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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B3 BLS is a 1998 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

Across all 1998 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 117,395 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 B3 BLS, 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 28 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 B3 BLS?

You can check the full history of B3 BLS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B3 BLS registered?

B3 BLS is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 19 January 1998.

Is B3 BLS safe to buy?

The MOT history for B3 BLS shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B3 BLS 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 B3 BLS. 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.