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M5 GCL

1998 BMW 535

Blue Petrol 3498cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Aug 2026
Tests35 (18 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate51.4%

Mileage

202,323 mi
Last recorded202,323 miles
Recorded on15 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 535110,452 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationM5 GCL
MakeBMW
Model535
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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

18 pass 17 fail
Pass 15 Aug 2025 202,323 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Outer door mirror cover missing

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 21 Jul 2025 202,316 miles

Emissions unable to be completed co reading to high (8.2.1.2 (d))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Offside Front Outer door mirror cover missing

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 30 Jun 2025 202,259 miles

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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Offside Front door mirror cover missing

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Rear both reversing lights inoperative

Pass 25 Jun 2024 196,255 miles

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

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

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

Fail 3 Jun 2024 196,226 miles

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

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))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Fail 3 Jun 2024 196,226 miles

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

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))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Outer Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 27 Apr 2023 193,022 miles

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 24 Apr 2023 193,020 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users coolant leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords side wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 4 Apr 2022 189,483 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2021 185,566 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

slight play in steering

Fail 11 Jan 2021 185,564 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Central Rear Seat belt missing (7.1.2 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

slight play in steering

Pass 3 Dec 2019 184,882 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive under shield area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 27 Nov 2019 184,881 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing wheel bolt missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Exhaust system insecure tailpipe mounting insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive under shield area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 30 Nov 2018 184,371 miles

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

Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play N/S AND O/S (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

STEERING LINKAGE HAS PLAY

Fail 24 Nov 2018 184,337 miles

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

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear All direction indicators incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play N/S AND O/S (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

STEERING LINKAGE HAS PLAY

Pass 23 Oct 2017 183,351 miles

Nearside Front Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Oil leak ()

Fail 20 Oct 2017 183,350 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Nearside Front Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Oil leak ()

Pass 29 Oct 2016 182,154 miles

Oil leak ()

Fail 28 Oct 2016 182,153 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick both side (3.5.1g)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Coolant leak ()

Oil leak ()

Pass 8 May 2015 180,226 miles
Fail 5 May 2015 180,226 miles

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

Centre Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 6 May 2014 178,847 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2014 178,847 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 15 Jan 2013 176,424 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2013 176,381 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 31 Oct 2011 172,331 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2011 172,331 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Pass 27 Oct 2010 167,198 miles
Fail 22 Oct 2010 167,198 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

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

Nearside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

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

change front wiper blades soon.

Pass 23 Oct 2009 160,206 miles
Fail 23 Oct 2009 160,206 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 20 Oct 2008 152,921 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2008 152,921 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

offside rear wheel binding slightly

Pass 19 Oct 2007 147,103 miles
Pass 25 Apr 2006 138,637 miles

slight play osr stub axle lower bush.

How Reliable is the BMW 535?

Based on 216,162 MOT tests across 18,035 vehicles.

78.7%
Pass Rate
7,094
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
18,035
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,346
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,237
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,669
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,608
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,438
Full BMW 535 reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

M5 GCL is a 1998 BMW 535 in Blue with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.4%.

Across all 1998 BMW 535 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.6% with a typical mileage of 110,452 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 535 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,346 recorded failures. If you're considering buying M5 GCL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 535 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 535 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of M5 GCL?

You can check the full history of M5 GCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M5 GCL registered?

M5 GCL is a 1998 BMW 535, first registered on 13 May 1998.

Is M5 GCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for M5 GCL shows 35 tests with a 51.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M5 GCL 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 M5 GCL. 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.