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MD03 VZL

2003 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Nov 2024
Tests23 (17 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate73.9%

Mileage

163,542 mi
Last recorded163,542 miles
Recorded on29 Jan 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationMD03 VZL
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourBlue
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 6 fail
Fail 29 Jan 2025 163,542 miles

Emissions unable to be completed major exhaust leak & engine miss fire (8.2.2.2 (e))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.2.1 (b))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable insecure (1.1.15 (c))

Nearside Rear Drive shaft securing bolt loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

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

Offside 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 dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Prop shaft securing bolt loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar likely to become detached (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central heat shield damaged & insecure

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front external mirror damaged

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front fog lamp inoperative

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake pad wear sensor insecure / detached

Rear heat shield damaged & insecure

Undertray not fully secure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

brake pad wear sensor light illuminated

exhaust silencer missing

oil leak on gearbox

surface corrosion to underside of vehicle

Pass 18 Nov 2023 142,026 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both pipes to rear corroding (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 21 Oct 2022 131,746 miles

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all the way front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 14 Oct 2022 131,613 miles

Brake performance not tested due to brake binding n/s/r (1.2.1 (g))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all the way front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 17 Sep 2021 113,396 miles

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

Pass 5 Oct 2020 108,578 miles

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

Fail 3 Oct 2020 108,578 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Exhaust centre rear mount insecured.

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

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

Rear exhaust shield insecured

Pass 4 Apr 2019 99,169 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2018 93,277 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2017 89,041 miles

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

Pass 2 Apr 2016 81,791 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded all pipes. (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 1 Apr 2015 77,873 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Mar 2015 77,867 miles

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

Pass 2 Apr 2014 73,668 miles

centre exhaust bracket corroding

cut in n/s/f tyre tread

Fail 1 Apr 2014 73,668 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

centre exhaust bracket corroding

cut in n/s/f tyre tread

Pass 25 Mar 2013 68,927 miles

Both front tyres sidewalls cracking up.

Fail 25 Mar 2013 68,927 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Both front tyres sidewalls cracking up.

Pass 26 Mar 2012 67,059 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 pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Apr 2011 65,462 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Pass 5 May 2010 60,815 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 4 Aug 2008 57,023 miles

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

Pass 26 Jun 2007 54,644 miles
Pass 24 Aug 2006 45,499 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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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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MD03 VZL is a 2003 BMW 520 in Blue with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.9%.

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 MD03 VZL, 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 MD03 VZL?

You can check the full history of MD03 VZL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MD03 VZL registered?

MD03 VZL is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 25 July 2003.

Is MD03 VZL safe to buy?

The MOT history for MD03 VZL shows 23 tests with a 73.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MD03 VZL 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 MD03 VZL. 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.