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M509 ARK

1994 BMW 518

Red Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Sep 2026
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

168,428 mi
Last recorded168,428 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 1994 BMW 518132,368 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationM509 ARK
MakeBMW
Model518
Year1994
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 168,428 miles

Nearside Front 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 Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 3 Sep 2025 168,428 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front 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 Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 12 Sep 2024 168,086 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracks in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear diff is corroded

Fail 30 Aug 2024 168,068 miles

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

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached Is detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracks in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Rear diff is corroded

Pass 15 Sep 2023 167,430 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2023 167,426 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fail 19 Aug 2023 167,410 miles

Fuel hose insecure fuel filter (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside inner sill corroded

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

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2022 166,844 miles
Pass 15 Sep 2021 166,626 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2020 164,805 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Small rip in boot (Rear arm) (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 31 Aug 2019 162,798 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Sep 2018 160,493 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 Sep 2018 160,442 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2017 159,345 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2016 158,230 miles

centre exhaust joint loose

heavy corrosion on o/s track rod end connecting tube

Pass 3 Sep 2015 157,005 miles
Pass 6 Sep 2014 154,255 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2013 152,422 miles

n/s/f tyre has cut in tread but not showing cords.

o/s/r outer sill showing signs of corrosion.

rear brake pipes slightly corroded

Fail 17 Sep 2013 152,415 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

n/s/f tyre has cut in tread but not showing cords.

o/s/r outer sill showing signs of corrosion.

rear brake pipes slightly corroded

Pass 12 Sep 2012 151,295 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2011 149,154 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2010 146,764 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2009 143,391 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2008 139,881 miles

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

corrosion on rear fuel pipes

Fail 9 Sep 2008 139,881 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

corrosion on rear fuel pipes

Pass 25 Sep 2007 133,564 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2006 126,791 miles

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

Pass 5 Oct 2005 121,050 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

How Reliable is the BMW 518?

Based on 62,660 MOT tests across 8,904 vehicles.

74.0%
Pass Rate
6,367
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
8,904
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,373
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,837
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,465
position lamp(s) not working 1,178
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,104
Full BMW 518 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.

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M509 ARK is a 1994 BMW 518 in Red with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1994 BMW 518 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.8% with a typical mileage of 132,368 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 518 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 3,373 recorded failures. If you're considering buying M509 ARK, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 518 typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 32 years old, this BMW 518 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of M509 ARK?

You can check the full history of M509 ARK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M509 ARK registered?

M509 ARK is a 1994 BMW 518, first registered on 19 August 1994.

Is M509 ARK safe to buy?

The MOT history for M509 ARK shows 28 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 M509 ARK 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 M509 ARK. 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.