CarVerify

Free Car Check

L281 HHX

1993 BMW 520

Red Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jun 2027
Tests22 (17 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate77.3%

Mileage

190,045 mi
Last recorded190,045 miles
Recorded on19 Jun 2026
Typical for 1993 BMW 520119,252 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

RegistrationL281 HHX
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1993
ColourRed
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

17 pass 5 fail
Pass 19 Jun 2026 190,045 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2024 178,888 miles

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

brake pipes and fuel pipes corroded

Fail 6 Jun 2024 178,786 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 May 2023 177,584 miles

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

Pass 13 Dec 2021 177,571 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (sill) (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (sill) (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 21 Feb 2020 176,716 miles

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

Nearside Front Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 2 Mar 2019 169,874 miles

Nearside Front Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 26 May 2017 163,275 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 26 May 2017 163,274 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 17 Mar 2016 157,948 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

slight play in steering

Pass 6 Mar 2015 155,142 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 3 Mar 2015 155,139 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 10 May 2013 148,557 miles

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

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

Offside Front Trailing arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

nearside front drop-link slight play

registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 20 Apr 2012 145,426 miles

Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 7 Apr 2011 141,512 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2010 137,995 miles

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

rear reg plate starting to deteriorate

Pass 19 Apr 2010 137,995 miles

rear reg plate starting to deteriorate

Pass 15 Apr 2009 131,986 miles

Centre Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

advise front number plate crack

Pass 1 Apr 2008 125,371 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2008 125,371 miles

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

Pass 3 Mar 2007 117,630 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2006 106,473 miles

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

L281 HHX is a 1993 BMW 520 in Red with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.3%.

Across all 1993 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.6% with a typical mileage of 119,252 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 L281 HHX, 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 33 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 L281 HHX?

You can check the full history of L281 HHX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L281 HHX registered?

L281 HHX is a 1993 BMW 520, first registered on 25 August 1993.

Is L281 HHX safe to buy?

The MOT history for L281 HHX shows 22 tests with a 77.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L281 HHX 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 L281 HHX. 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.