CarVerify

Free Car Check

HG53 DWA

2003 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 2171cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Apr 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

128,052 mi
Last recorded128,052 miles
Recorded on10 Apr 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationHG53 DWA
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourSilver
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 12 fail
Pass 10 Apr 2025 128,052 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Fail 8 Apr 2025 128,040 miles

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

Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 11 Apr 2024 120,630 miles

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

offside rear tyre nail

Fail 9 Apr 2024 120,618 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

offside rear tyre nail

Pass 28 Mar 2023 115,073 miles

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Fail 27 Mar 2023 115,062 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Pass 6 Apr 2022 114,247 miles

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

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

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

Pass 16 Jul 2021 112,346 miles

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring testable items from view

Fail 15 Jul 2021 112,346 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring testable items from view

Pass 6 Aug 2020 107,898 miles

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage return pipe to power steering pump (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body cover fitted obscuring testable items from view

Fail 6 Aug 2020 107,898 miles

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

Emissions not tested engine miss fire (8.2.1.2 (d))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage return pipe to power steering pump (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body cover fitted obscuring testable items from view

Pass 23 Apr 2019 100,623 miles

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring testable items from view

handbrake has only just passed the test

Fail 18 Apr 2019 100,623 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring testable items from view

handbrake has only just passed the test

Pass 20 Apr 2018 95,060 miles

Oil leak

Fail 16 Apr 2018 95,060 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Oil leak

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

Pass 24 Apr 2017 91,394 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit wearing on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 3 May 2016 81,602 miles

both rear indicators showing white light

engine oil leak

nearside front lower arm dust cover perished

nearside front track rod end dust cover perished

nearside front tyre cracking in sidewall

no handbrake warning light

offside front tyre perishing

stone chip in windscreen

Fail 3 May 2016 81,602 miles

Centre Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

both rear indicators showing white light

engine oil leak

nearside front lower arm dust cover perished

nearside front track rod end dust cover perished

nearside front tyre cracking in sidewall

no handbrake warning light

offside front tyre perishing

stone chip in windscreen

Pass 4 Mar 2015 71,066 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

both front tyres cracking in sidewalls

engine oil leak

nearside front tyre has a cut in the sidewall

screw in offside rear tyre

Fail 24 Feb 2015 71,066 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

both front tyres cracking in sidewalls

engine oil leak

nearside front tyre has a cut in the sidewall

screw in offside rear tyre

Pass 11 Feb 2014 60,465 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Feb 2013 57,084 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2012 53,516 miles

rear brake pads are worn low

Fail 17 Feb 2012 53,493 miles

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

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

rear brake pads are worn low

Pass 1 Mar 2011 47,700 miles

nearside rear and offside rear tyres are worn smooth on inside edges

Pass 18 Feb 2010 42,600 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2010 42,600 miles

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

Pass 19 Feb 2009 37,637 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2008 33,096 miles

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

Front bumper insecure now fixed

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

brake fluid change and coolant change due

front wipers judding now been replaced

washer jet poor now ok

Pass 28 Mar 2008 33,096 miles

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

Front bumper insecure now fixed

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

brake fluid change and coolant change due

front wipers judding now been replaced

washer jet poor now ok

Pass 26 Feb 2007 26,741 miles

both rear tyres required, both on 1.6mm ok at time of test.. †

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

HG53 DWA is a 2003 BMW 520 in Silver with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 HG53 DWA, 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 HG53 DWA?

You can check the full history of HG53 DWA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was HG53 DWA registered?

HG53 DWA is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 8 September 2003.

Is HG53 DWA safe to buy?

The MOT history for HG53 DWA shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does HG53 DWA 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 HG53 DWA. 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.