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N494 FOY

1995 BMW 520

Black Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Jul 2027
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

Typical for 1995 BMW 520125,342 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN494 FOY
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1995
ColourBlack
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

21 pass 12 fail
Pass 14 Jul 2026

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

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2025

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2023 131,338 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Dec 2023 131,338 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2023 131,104 miles

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

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Fail 7 Dec 2022 131,081 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

battery defective

Pass 13 Dec 2021 129,846 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded across rear axel

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

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

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

Fail 8 Dec 2021 129,844 miles

Exhaust system insecure back box to centre (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust system insecure centre rubber missing (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust system insecure front section bracket broken (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded across rear axel

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 10 Dec 2020 126,721 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside and nearside outer sills covered with plastic over sills unable to inspect condition of metal sills

Suspension components front and rear corroded

Fail 30 Nov 2020 126,639 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength brake house mounting point area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength brake house mounting point area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside and nearside outer sills covered with plastic over sills unable to inspect condition of metal sills

Suspension components front and rear corroded

Fail 6 Mar 2020 125,731 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Fuel pipe leaking excessively or a risk of fire (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fuel tank leaking excessively or a risk of fire (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose slightly chafed hose grommet not in bracket (1.1.12 (b) (i))

o/s and n/s outer sills covered with plastic oversills unable to inspect condition of metal sills

Pass 11 Nov 2019 124,939 miles

gearbox exhaust bracket loose

Fail 7 Nov 2019 124,939 miles

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

gearbox exhaust bracket loose

Pass 4 Dec 2018 123,467 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2018 123,467 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Dec 2017 118,596 miles

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on inner edge

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Offside Rear tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 6 Dec 2016 114,031 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

rear exhaust box in poor condition

surface corrosion on main fuel pipe

Fail 3 Dec 2016 114,031 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded main front to rear pipe (3.6.B.2c)

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 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 Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside 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)

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

rear exhaust box in poor condition

surface corrosion on main fuel pipe

Pass 4 Dec 2015 109,147 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2015 109,147 miles

Front Fuel pipe excessively chafed (7.2.2)

Pass 28 Nov 2014 100,678 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Front bumper insecure

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Fail 28 Nov 2014 100,678 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Front bumper insecure

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 5 Nov 2013 90,692 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Nov 2013 90,664 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Nov 2012 84,688 miles

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

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

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

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

Small cut in nearside front tyre tread

Pass 31 Oct 2011 81,510 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2010 79,343 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Fail 2 Nov 2010 79,343 miles

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

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Pass 30 Oct 2009 77,193 miles
Pass 5 Nov 2008 75,165 miles

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

rear axel beam bushes just starting to deteriorate

Pass 12 Jan 2008 72,599 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 20 Jan 2007 69,153 miles

play in front steering rod

Pass 24 Jan 2006 64,453 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

N494 FOY is a 1995 BMW 520 in Black with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

Across all 1995 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.4% with a typical mileage of 125,342 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 N494 FOY, 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 31 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 N494 FOY?

You can check the full history of N494 FOY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N494 FOY registered?

N494 FOY is a 1995 BMW 520, first registered on 31 December 1995.

Is N494 FOY safe to buy?

The MOT history for N494 FOY shows 33 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N494 FOY 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 N494 FOY. 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.