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N201 PDW

1996 BMW 530

Blue Petrol 2997cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Feb 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

178,835 mi
Last recorded178,835 miles
Recorded on19 Feb 2026
Typical for 1996 BMW 530127,769 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

RegistrationN201 PDW
MakeBMW
Model530
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,997cc

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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 19 Feb 2026 178,835 miles

Exhaust CO level fluctuating during test - readings only just within limits at time of test.

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Both frontal jacking points/inner sills are excessively corroded. Outside of prescribed areas. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 13 Feb 2026 178,790 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Both frontal jacking points/inner sills are excessively corroded. Outside of prescribed areas. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 Feb 2025 170,779 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective rubbers missing (6.1.2 (a))

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill holed by corrosion , sill covers fitted unable to see extent (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both in tread patterns (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 3 Feb 2025 170,773 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle missing not accesible (7.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Power steering inoperative and steering adversely affected (2.1.5 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Exhaust mounting defective rubbers missing (6.1.2 (a))

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill holed by corrosion , sill covers fitted unable to see extent (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both in tread patterns (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 31 Jan 2024 167,416 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2024 167,416 miles

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

Fail 10 Jan 2024 167,391 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2022 164,151 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all from front to rear (3) ()

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 Nov 2022 164,150 miles

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all from front to rear (3) ()

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

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

Pass 13 Nov 2021 161,304 miles

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 28 Oct 2020 157,299 miles

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all four (5.2.3 (e))

pads wear sensor wires broken pads ok

Fail 24 Oct 2020 157,206 miles

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 has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all four (5.2.3 (e))

pads wear sensor wires broken pads ok

Pass 2 Nov 2019 151,948 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 2 Nov 2019 151,948 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 27 Oct 2018 148,145 miles
Pass 28 Oct 2017 146,457 miles

Nearside Front Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

Pass 29 Oct 2016 144,086 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 27 Oct 2015 138,653 miles

Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear (2.4.G.2)

Fail 13 Jun 2015 138,623 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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)

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 17 Jun 2014 136,376 miles

brake pipes corroded

exhaust corroded

Pass 25 May 2013 134,296 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2012 132,579 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2012 132,579 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Fluid suspension unit leaking (2.4.D.2)

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

Rear exhaust rubbers in poor condition (split).

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 17 May 2011 130,659 miles

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 17 May 2011 130,659 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2010 128,818 miles

Off side front tyre perished.

Off side rear tyre perished.

Fail 3 Jun 2010 128,818 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Off side front tyre perished.

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

Off side rear tyre perished.

Pass 9 Jun 2009 127,239 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2009 127,238 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pedal excessively corroded (3.3.A.1a)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pedal excessively corroded (3.3.A.1a)

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2008 125,129 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2007 125,275 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2006 121,229 miles

Steering system slightly rough (2.2.D.1)

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

both frt anti roll link bar dust cover split.rear brake discs becoming very rusty!!

Fail 25 May 2006 121,179 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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)

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

How Reliable is the BMW 530?

Based on 801,983 MOT tests across 56,322 vehicles.

76.9%
Pass Rate
7,757
Miles/Year
27
Year Lifespan
56,322
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 30,757
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,664
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 11,558
Brake pipe excessively corroded 10,764
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 8,374
Full BMW 530 reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N201 PDW is a 1996 BMW 530 in Blue with a 2,997cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1996 BMW 530 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.9% with a typical mileage of 127,769 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 530 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 30,757 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N201 PDW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 530 typically stays on UK roads for around 27 years. At 30 years old, this BMW 530 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N201 PDW?

You can check the full history of N201 PDW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N201 PDW registered?

N201 PDW is a 1996 BMW 530, first registered on 19 January 1996.

Is N201 PDW safe to buy?

The MOT history for N201 PDW shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N201 PDW 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 N201 PDW. 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.