CarVerify

Free Car Check

GEN 1Y

1996 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Apr 2026
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

136,935 mi
Last recorded136,935 miles
Recorded on2 Apr 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 520126,144 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationGEN 1Y
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1996
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 8 fail
Pass 2 Apr 2025 136,935 miles
Fail 8 Jan 2024 136,922 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2022 132,748 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2021 121,684 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2020 115,199 miles
Fail 3 Jan 2020 115,199 miles

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak has play in shaft as well (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 2 Jan 2019 110,573 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2018 107,160 miles
Fail 2 Jan 2018 107,160 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 9 Jan 2017 103,089 miles
Fail 17 May 2014 101,363 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 17 May 2014 101,363 miles
Pass 14 May 2013 97,578 miles
Pass 30 Apr 2012 92,297 miles
Fail 23 Apr 2012 92,297 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2011 83,938 miles

Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

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

Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 15 Apr 2010 79,176 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2010 79,176 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2009 77,480 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2008 74,940 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2008 74,940 miles

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

Pass 20 Apr 2007 70,153 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2006 62,910 miles
Fail 3 Apr 2006 62,910 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

GEN 1Y is a 1996 BMW 520 in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1996 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 126,144 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 GEN 1Y, 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 30 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of GEN 1Y?

You can check the full history of GEN 1Y by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was GEN 1Y registered?

GEN 1Y is a 1996 BMW 520, first registered on 18 December 1996.

Is GEN 1Y safe to buy?

The MOT history for GEN 1Y shows 24 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does GEN 1Y 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 GEN 1Y. 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.