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FJ53 VRL

2003 BMW Alpina

Black Petrol 2979cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Sep 2026
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

112,920 mi
Last recorded112,920 miles
Recorded on17 Sep 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW Alpina72,324 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFJ53 VRL
MakeBMW
ModelAlpina
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,979cc

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

18 pass 6 fail
Pass 17 Sep 2025 112,920 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Fail 17 Sep 2025 112,920 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 23 Sep 2024 111,574 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Fail 23 Sep 2024 111,574 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Sep 2023 109,890 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 26 Sep 2022 108,953 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Pass 8 Sep 2021 108,359 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear tyre has cuts to inner sidewalls

Offside Rear tyre wearing uneven

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

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

fuel cap seal cracking

Pass 8 Sep 2020 108,161 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 10 Sep 2019 106,969 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 29 Aug 2018 103,795 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front flexible brake hose cracking

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

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

Offside Front flexible brake hose cracking

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

Shields and undertrays fitted not allowing full inspection

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Aug 2017 91,984 miles

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush rear bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

Offside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush rear bush (2.5.A.1c)

Pass 3 Aug 2016 83,218 miles

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

Fail 3 Aug 2016 83,218 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2015 71,816 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 6 Jun 2015 71,816 miles

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 4 Nov 2013 70,053 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2013 70,050 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2012 68,654 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2012 68,654 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 6 Aug 2011 59,532 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2009 51,745 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2008 47,100 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2007 39,960 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2006 30,590 miles

front tyres worn un/even 2mm 225/40/zr18/88y michelin

rear tyres on 3mm 255/35/18 michelin

How Reliable is the BMW Alpina?

Based on 29,169 MOT tests across 2,395 vehicles.

82.0%
Pass Rate
4,292
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
2,395
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 568
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 270
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 269
Brake pipe excessively corroded 254
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 226
Full BMW Alpina reliability report

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FJ53 VRL is a 2003 BMW Alpina in Black with a 2,979cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 2003 BMW Alpina models, the average MOT pass rate is 81.0% with a typical mileage of 72,324 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 Alpina fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 568 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FJ53 VRL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Alpina typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 23 years old, this BMW Alpina is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FJ53 VRL?

You can check the full history of FJ53 VRL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FJ53 VRL registered?

FJ53 VRL is a 2003 BMW Alpina, first registered on 23 October 2003.

Is FJ53 VRL safe to buy?

The MOT history for FJ53 VRL shows 24 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FJ53 VRL 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 FJ53 VRL. 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.