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MT53 VLD

2003 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Jun 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

128,991 mi
Last recorded128,991 miles
Recorded on30 May 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationMT53 VLD
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 30 May 2025 128,991 miles

General corrosion noticed and advised along with suspension components including front and rear subframe

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

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

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

engine oil pressure light flashing

Fail 26 May 2025 128,991 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint excessively worn front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint excessively worn front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

General corrosion noticed and advised along with suspension components including front and rear subframe

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

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

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

engine oil pressure light flashing

Pass 3 Jun 2024 125,716 miles

Front both headlight cloudy

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

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

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) nearside front ()

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and nearside front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Fail 3 Jun 2024 125,716 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn and offside front D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front both headlight cloudy

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

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

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) nearside front ()

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and nearside front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 31 May 2023 121,712 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play nearside front D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

coolant leak

front headlight cloudy

Fail 31 May 2023 121,712 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play nearside front D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

coolant leak

front headlight cloudy

Pass 31 May 2022 118,549 miles

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

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

Fail 31 May 2022 118,549 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 May 2021 114,444 miles

Nearside Rear Lower suspension arm/pin very rusty around gaiter

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

Oil leak, but not excessive under tray fitted restricting inspection (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 18 May 2021 114,444 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower suspension arm/pin very rusty around gaiter

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

Oil leak, but not excessive under tray fitted restricting inspection (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 29 May 2020 112,514 miles

Nearside Rear Lower hub joint rubber splitting

Offside reverse light inoperative

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

Spare tyre defective ()

engine under trays fitted restricting inspection

Fail 28 May 2020 112,507 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

Nearside Rear Lower hub joint rubber splitting

Offside reverse light inoperative

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

Spare tyre defective ()

engine under trays fitted restricting inspection

Pass 11 Apr 2019 108,090 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 9 Apr 2019 108,090 miles

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))

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded both sides (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 15 Feb 2018 101,771 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2017 97,749 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Fail 10 Feb 2017 97,655 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2016 93,309 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 Mar 2015 88,299 miles

Nearside Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 25 Mar 2015 88,292 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 18 Mar 2014 82,075 miles

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

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

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

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

slight wear in both rear lower hub bushes

Pass 25 Mar 2013 122,804 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 28 Nov 2011 70,508 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Nov 2010 65,455 miles

front discs worn

Pass 23 Nov 2009 59,967 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 23 Nov 2009 59,958 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 19 Nov 2008 55,724 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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)

Fail 26 Nov 2007 50,574 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

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

air-bag warning lamp on dash.

Pass 26 Nov 2007 50,574 miles

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

air-bag warning lamp on dash.

Pass 20 Nov 2006 45,214 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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

MT53 VLD is a 2003 BMW 520 in Blue with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 MT53 VLD, 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 MT53 VLD?

You can check the full history of MT53 VLD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MT53 VLD registered?

MT53 VLD is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 1 December 2003.

Is MT53 VLD safe to buy?

The MOT history for MT53 VLD shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MT53 VLD 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 MT53 VLD. 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.