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N303 AOJ

1996 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Nov 2026
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

95,041 mi
Last recorded95,041 miles
Recorded on19 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 520126,144 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN303 AOJ
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 13 fail
Pass 19 Nov 2025 95,041 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Fail 18 Nov 2025 95,041 miles

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

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 May 2024 93,911 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 May 2024 93,911 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Trailing arm link (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Trailing arm link (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 9 May 2023 92,659 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 1 Jun 2022

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

Rear wiper blade defective.

Sill panel plastic covers fitted.

Steering box worn, but not excessively (2.1.1 (c) (i))

Upper Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Fail 31 May 2022

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

Rear wiper blade defective.

Sill panel plastic covers fitted.

Steering box worn, but not excessively (2.1.1 (c) (i))

Upper Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Jun 2021 91,503 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Nearside front tyre is perished

Nearside rear tyre is perished

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jun 2021 91,503 miles

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

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

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Nearside front tyre is perished

Nearside rear tyre is perished

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

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

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

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Pass 21 May 2019 89,600 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 9 May 2018 88,820 miles

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 11 May 2017 87,778 miles
Pass 13 May 2016 84,785 miles
Fail 11 May 2016 84,779 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Stop lamp not working all (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Pass 13 May 2015 80,040 miles

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

Pass 13 May 2014 76,250 miles

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

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

Fail 13 May 2014 76,246 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

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

Pass 13 May 2013 73,015 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 13 May 2013 73,015 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 23 May 2012 69,926 miles
Fail 23 May 2012 69,926 miles

Nearside Front 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 Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 19 Apr 2011 67,260 miles

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

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)

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

Fail 19 Apr 2011 67,260 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front 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 28 Apr 2010 63,997 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)

Fail 28 Apr 2010 63,997 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Fail 20 Apr 2009 61,301 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Pass 20 Apr 2009 61,301 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2007 53,411 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2007 53,411 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

All tyres starting to perish/ crack in places

Centre exhaust mount starting to crack

Front pads getting low, slight lip on discs

Fuel pipe at rear starting to corrode

Odometer difficult to read

Slight play in all steering ball joints

Pass 26 Oct 2006 47,743 miles
Fail 23 Oct 2006 47,742 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

N303 AOJ is a 1996 BMW 520 in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

Across all 1996 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.7% with a typical mileage of 126,144 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 N303 AOJ, 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 30 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N303 AOJ?

You can check the full history of N303 AOJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N303 AOJ registered?

N303 AOJ is a 1996 BMW 520, first registered on 12 March 1996.

Is N303 AOJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for N303 AOJ shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N303 AOJ 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 N303 AOJ. 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.