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E540 BMV

1987 BMW 525

Blue Petrol 2693cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 Jul 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

182,760 mi
Last recorded182,760 miles
Recorded on21 Jul 2025
Typical for 1987 BMW 525128,107 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE540 BMV
MakeBMW
Model525
Year1987
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,693cc

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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 21 Jul 2025 182,760 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

offside front sill severely corroded

Fail 21 Jul 2025 182,760 miles

offside front sill severely corroded

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2024 182,780 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 18 Jul 2024 182,760 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 27 Jul 2023 182,773 miles

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 15 Jul 2023 182,760 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 13 Jun 2022 182,760 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 13 Jun 2022 182,760 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 2 Jun 2022 182,760 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play to idler arm (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2021 182,762 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2020 182,760 miles

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 4 Jul 2018 182,760 miles

slight surface corrosion on both inner sills

Pass 13 Jan 2016 180,544 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2015 176,804 miles

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

centre exhaust mounts corroded

Fail 7 Jan 2015 176,820 miles

Centre Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

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

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

Offside Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (1.2.1e)

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

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

brake pedal does not return properly

centre exhaust mounts corroded

Fail 23 Aug 2011 160,860 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 23 Aug 2011 160,860 miles

Oil leak

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

Pass 23 Aug 2010 152,871 miles
Pass 26 Aug 2009 147,614 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2008 146,452 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2007 146,101 miles

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

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

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

Pass 6 Nov 2006 143,419 miles

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

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

Offside rear inner sill panel area starting to corrode.

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

Pass 31 May 2006 142,204 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2005 139,514 miles
Fail 31 May 2005 139,473 miles

Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced (2.4.F.2)

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

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

Centre Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

How Reliable is the BMW 525?

Based on 724,963 MOT tests across 56,965 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
7,259
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
56,965
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 33,171
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,448
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,227
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 10,065
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 9,710
Full BMW 525 reliability report

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E540 BMV is a 1987 BMW 525 in Blue with a 2,693cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1987 BMW 525 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.8% with a typical mileage of 128,107 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 525 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 33,171 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E540 BMV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 525 typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 39 years old, this BMW 525 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E540 BMV?

You can check the full history of E540 BMV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E540 BMV registered?

E540 BMV is a 1987 BMW 525, first registered on 1 August 1987.

Is E540 BMV safe to buy?

The MOT history for E540 BMV shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E540 BMV 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 E540 BMV. 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.