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BJ03 VBC

2003 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jul 2027
Tests35 (22 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate62.9%

Mileage

159,131 mi
Last recorded159,131 miles
Recorded on29 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationBJ03 VBC
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,171cc

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

22 pass 13 fail
Pass 29 Jun 2026 159,131 miles

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

Pass 8 Jul 2025 155,738 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip in b zone (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Jul 2025 155,738 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chip in b zone (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Jun 2024 147,279 miles

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

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Fail 7 Jun 2024 147,279 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Pass 23 Jun 2023 136,303 miles

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

Fail 25 May 2023 135,991 miles

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

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

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

Pass 1 Jun 2022 132,063 miles
Fail 12 May 2022 131,992 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn control arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low unable to adjust (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 14 May 2021 128,042 miles

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

Pass 9 Jun 2020 125,836 miles

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

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

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

nearside front tyre outer sidewall starting to crack.

Fail 4 Jun 2020 125,837 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

nearside front tyre outer sidewall starting to crack.

Pass 30 May 2019 123,784 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both NSR brake pipes have corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge @ 2 mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 30 May 2019 123,784 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both NSR brake pipes have corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge @ 2 mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 26 May 2018 121,193 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Corroded at rear of O/S front to back pipe - Advise replacement (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to back pipes by fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 25 May 2018 121,193 miles

Service brake excessively binding Both rear - Unable to test wheel bearings (1.2.1 (f))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Corroded at rear of O/S front to back pipe - Advise replacement (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to back pipes by fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 12 May 2017 114,900 miles

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

Pass 4 Jun 2016 108,965 miles

Bad oil leaks present.

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn low 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn low 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Fail 3 Jun 2016 108,965 miles

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

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

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

Bad oil leaks present.

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn low 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit worn low 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Jun 2015 105,391 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak

both front tyres perished

Fail 29 May 2015 105,390 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak

both front tyres perished

Pass 30 May 2014 101,078 miles

Corrosion at rear of O/S front to back metal brake pipe

Fail 30 May 2014 101,078 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Corrosion at rear of O/S front to back metal brake pipe

Pass 4 Jun 2013 94,858 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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

fuel tank cap seal starting to perish

Pass 5 Apr 2012 88,453 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 5 Apr 2012 88,452 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 1 Jun 2011 83,335 miles

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

Pass 3 Jun 2010 75,541 miles
Fail 3 Jun 2010 75,540 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 3 Jun 2010 75,540 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 May 2009 70,110 miles

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

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

Pass 13 May 2008 63,370 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2007 56,973 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)

Pass 1 Jun 2006 47,545 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2006 46,193 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

BJ03 VBC is a 2003 BMW 520 in Silver with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.9%.

Across all 2003 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.5% with a typical mileage of 84,985 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 BJ03 VBC, 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 23 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 BJ03 VBC?

You can check the full history of BJ03 VBC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BJ03 VBC registered?

BJ03 VBC is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 31 March 2003.

Is BJ03 VBC safe to buy?

The MOT history for BJ03 VBC shows 35 tests with a 62.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BJ03 VBC 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 BJ03 VBC. 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.