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E153 XKL

1988 BMW 518

Black Petrol 1766cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Sep 2026
Tests23 (15 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate65.2%

Mileage

109,808 mi
Last recorded109,808 miles
Recorded on11 Sep 2025
Typical for 1988 BMW 518131,570 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

RegistrationE153 XKL
MakeBMW
Model518
Year1988
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,766cc

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

15 pass 8 fail
Pass 11 Sep 2025 109,808 miles

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

Fail 1 Aug 2025 109,777 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 16 Jul 2024 109,057 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2023 108,288 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2022 107,673 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2021 106,956 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 29 Apr 2021 106,954 miles

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

Nearside Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 9 Apr 2021 106,952 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Nearside Intermediate drop arm insecure Bush U/S (2.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Inner Track rod end securing nut doubled up

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

Fail 22 Oct 2018 106,944 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (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 Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch out side tyre wall has been rubbing on wheel arch (both side) (5.2.3 (f))

Pass 19 Jul 2017 106,414 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2016 105,654 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2016 105,654 miles

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

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

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

Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g)

Fail 18 Mar 2016 105,651 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering box fitted) (2.2.A.1a)

Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.B.1g) DANGEROUS

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

blue light on bonnet and boot

n/s/r tyre has been rubbing on wheel arch

oil leak

Pass 3 Feb 2015 104,711 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 31 Jan 2015 104,711 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 2 Mar 2012 100,164 miles

Both front brake pipes surface corrosion

Slight play in steering drag link

Pass 1 Mar 2011 95,778 miles

FUEL PIPES STARTING TO CORRODE .STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT KNOCKS

Pass 25 Feb 2010 90,893 miles

both front anti rollbar links top dust ciovers split.

both front lowerarm bottom balljoint dust covers slit.

front brake pads low.

movement in steering idler arm.

oil leak.

rear coil springs corroded.

slight blow from exhaust.

Pass 10 Feb 2009 85,680 miles

movement in rear sub frame bushes but not excessive

Fail 9 Feb 2009 85,679 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel (2.1.2b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

movement in rear sub frame bushes but not excessive

Pass 19 Feb 2008 83,325 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2007 80,617 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2006 77,415 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 518?

Based on 62,660 MOT tests across 8,904 vehicles.

74.0%
Pass Rate
6,367
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
8,904
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,373
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,837
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,465
position lamp(s) not working 1,178
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,104
Full BMW 518 reliability report

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E153 XKL is a 1988 BMW 518 in Black with a 1,766cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.2%.

Across all 1988 BMW 518 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.2% with a typical mileage of 131,570 miles. This vehicle is performing in line with others of the same year.

The most common reason a BMW 518 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 3,373 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E153 XKL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 518 typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 38 years old, this BMW 518 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E153 XKL?

You can check the full history of E153 XKL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E153 XKL registered?

E153 XKL is a 1988 BMW 518, first registered on 1 May 1988.

Is E153 XKL safe to buy?

The MOT history for E153 XKL shows 23 tests with a 65.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E153 XKL 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 E153 XKL. 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.