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J138 SPD

1992 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Mar 2027
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

Typical for 1992 BMW 520132,944 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ138 SPD
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1992
ColourBlue
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 13 fail
Pass 24 Mar 2026

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Feb 2025

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 2 Nov 2023

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

Fail 2 Nov 2023

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

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

Pass 21 Nov 2022

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

corrosion evident in front inner wheel arches & rear of sill panels

Fail 17 Nov 2022

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

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

corrosion evident in front inner wheel arches & rear of sill panels

Pass 16 Jul 2021

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

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both sides (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2020
Pass 2 Aug 2019

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge n/s and o/s (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 16 Mar 2016 158,941 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Exhaust heat shield adrift

Exhaust system corroded

Front and rear suspension components corroded

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Oil leak

Underbody corrosion

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Pass 24 Jun 2014 158,801 miles

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

Exhaust heat sheilds loose

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

O/S/F fog light n/w

O/S/F tyre worn on inner edge

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2014 158,779 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) DANGEROUS

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

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

Exhaust heat shields loose

Exhaust system corroded

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

O/S/F fog light n/w

O/S/F tyre worn on inner edge

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

Pass 14 May 2013 156,720 miles

Bonnet latch poor to close

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Exhaust very corroded

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

V-belt starting to split

Fail 14 May 2013 156,720 miles

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

Bonnet latch poor to close

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Exhaust very corroded

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

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.B.7)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

V-belt starting to split

Pass 23 May 2012 155,086 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust system very corroded

Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Rear fuel pipes very corroded

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

V-belt starting to split

Pass 3 Jun 2011 153,086 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

O/S/F + N/S/F suspension bump stops worn

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear fuel pipes corroded

V-belt starting to split

Fail 2 Jun 2011 153,082 miles

Centre Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

all rear fuel pipes very corroded.

Fail 26 May 2011 153,054 miles

Offside Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

all rear fuel pipes very corroded.

Fail 28 May 2010 151,212 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

fuel lines slightly corroded.

Pass 28 May 2010 151,212 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

fuel lines slightly corroded.

Pass 3 Jun 2009 149,390 miles

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

fuel lines rusty

Fail 3 Jun 2009 149,390 miles

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

fuel lines rusty

Pass 3 Jun 2008 147,053 miles
Fail 28 May 2008 147,051 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Centre Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

corrosion on metal fuel pipes at rear.water in n/s main beam lamp

Pass 7 Jun 2007 143,628 miles

Exhaust very rusty with slight blow. Fuel pipes at rear rusty. Windscreen chipped. N/S handbrake effort lower than o/s

Fail 7 Jun 2007 143,628 miles

Exhaust very rusty with slight blow. Fuel pipes at rear rusty. Windscreen chipped. N/S handbrake effort lower than o/s

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Pass 10 Jun 2006 140,858 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2006 140,858 miles

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

Fail 30 May 2006 140,716 miles

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

centre section of exhaust heavily corroded

drivers door inside handle insecure

front shocks very weak

leak from exhaust centre to rear joint

movement in l/h/f top suspension mounting

movement in steering column top bush

n/s/f tyre worn down to 2mm (legal limit is 1.6mm)

off side front lower rear suspension arm inner bush is worn

steering box has slight leak

stonechip in windscreen

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

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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

J138 SPD is a 1992 BMW 520 in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

Across all 1992 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 132,944 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 J138 SPD, 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 34 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 J138 SPD?

You can check the full history of J138 SPD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J138 SPD registered?

J138 SPD is a 1992 BMW 520, first registered on 9 April 1992.

Is J138 SPD safe to buy?

The MOT history for J138 SPD shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J138 SPD 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 J138 SPD. 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.