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MC53 DOU

2003 BMW 520

Black Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Mar 2027
Tests24 (17 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate70.8%

Mileage

119,354 mi
Last recorded119,354 miles
Recorded on17 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationMC53 DOU
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourBlack
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

17 pass 7 fail
Pass 17 Feb 2026 119,354 miles

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

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 10 Mar 2025 109,325 miles

engine has slight oil leak

under vehicle floor area has been stone chip treated

Fail 10 Mar 2025 109,325 miles

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

Nearside Front 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))

engine has slight oil leak

under vehicle floor area has been stone chip treated

Pass 15 Mar 2024 98,395 miles

all under vehicle has has been stone chip treated

fuel lines slightly corroded

Pass 25 Sep 2023 96,073 miles

undertray fitted

Fail 25 Sep 2023 96,073 miles

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

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

undertray fitted

Fail 24 Aug 2023 95,928 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn tie rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low adjuster not working (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring fouling on arch liner

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor pan (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2022 89,836 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fuel cap seal perished

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Underside of vehicle corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Badly cracking but no canvas visible (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Aug 2022 89,834 miles

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Sill excessively corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear 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))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fuel cap seal perished

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Underside of vehicle corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Badly cracking but no canvas visible (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Aug 2021 88,014 miles
Fail 9 Aug 2021 88,014 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded Both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Headlamp aim too low Both (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Oct 2019 86,144 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2019 86,113 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear 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))

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

exhaust heat shield insecure

Pass 1 Nov 2017 81,626 miles

front brake dirt covers corroding

heat shield insecure

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 24 Oct 2015 76,390 miles

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

Oil Leak

Fail 14 Oct 2015 76,384 miles

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

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

Oil Leak

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

Pass 11 Jul 2014 71,634 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

Pass 24 Oct 2013 64,847 miles

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

Pass 21 Feb 2012 53,848 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2010 49,192 miles
Pass 22 Dec 2009 38,120 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 20 Aug 2008 29,279 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2007 22,184 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2006 15,028 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

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MC53 DOU is a 2003 BMW 520 in Black with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.8%.

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 MC53 DOU, 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 MC53 DOU?

You can check the full history of MC53 DOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MC53 DOU registered?

MC53 DOU is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 16 September 2003.

Is MC53 DOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for MC53 DOU shows 24 tests with a 70.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MC53 DOU 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 MC53 DOU. 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.