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DG53 VKJ

2003 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Oct 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

141,557 mi
Last recorded141,557 miles
Recorded on16 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationDG53 VKJ
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourBlue
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 16 Oct 2025 141,557 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Oct 2025 141,548 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2024 138,768 miles

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Sep 2024 138,743 miles

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Sep 2023 133,863 miles

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Sep 2022 128,715 miles

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

Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity Both headlights (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 1 Sep 2022 128,700 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity Both headlights (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 24 Aug 2021 124,515 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 235/45r17 97y (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 235/45r17 97y (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 16 Aug 2021 124,398 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 235/45r17 97y (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 235/45r17 97y (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 1 Sep 2020 120,084 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2020 120,065 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/45R17 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 11 Jul 2019 114,283 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Pad wear light on (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both front ()

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both front tyres have very slight cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test Rear seats folded down not allowing full inspection of rear seat belts ()

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both rear subframe rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Jul 2019 114,213 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension bellows leaking (5.3.5 (c))

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

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Pad wear light on (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both front ()

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both front tyres have very slight cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test Rear seats folded down not allowing full inspection of rear seat belts ()

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both rear subframe rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jun 2018 107,404 miles

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

Front brake warning light on brake pads ok wire broken nearside front

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

Pass 10 Jul 2017 102,241 miles

Both front headlight lenses are faded. Beam image is ok.

Brake pad wear indicator is on.

Fail 30 Jun 2017 102,208 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Inside side wall (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Centre tread (4.1.D.1a)

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

Both front headlight lenses are faded. Beam image is ok.

Brake pad wear indicator is on.

Pass 27 Jun 2016 97,980 miles

Nearside Front antiroll bar link upper ball joint has play

Offside Front shock absorber weak

both front antiroll bar link upper rubbers split

brake pad warning light on

o/s/f back plate loose

Fail 22 Jun 2016 97,907 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

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

Nearside Front antiroll bar link upper ball joint has play

Offside Front shock absorber weak

both front antiroll bar link upper rubbers split

brake pad warning light on

o/s/f back plate loose

Pass 1 Jul 2015 93,155 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2015 93,004 miles

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

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

brake pad indicator lamp showing fault

Pass 6 Aug 2013 80,976 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2012 73,059 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)

Fail 10 Aug 2012 72,955 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2011 66,364 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2010 64,369 miles

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

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

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

Fail 9 Sep 2010 64,369 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2009 54,225 miles

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

Pass 9 Sep 2008 44,711 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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 25 Sep 2007 35,153 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 20 Sep 2006 25,734 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

DG53 VKJ is a 2003 BMW 520 in Blue with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 DG53 VKJ, 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 DG53 VKJ?

You can check the full history of DG53 VKJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DG53 VKJ registered?

DG53 VKJ is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is DG53 VKJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for DG53 VKJ 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 DG53 VKJ 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 DG53 VKJ. 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.