CarVerify

Free Car Check

N515 BFL

1996 BMW 520

Green Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Oct 2019
Tests23 (13 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate56.5%

Mileage

Typical for 1996 BMW 520126,144 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN515 BFL
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1996
ColourGreen
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

13 pass 10 fail
Fail 30 Sep 2019

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

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))

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

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

All doors corroded

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

Front Lower Radiator support corroded

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 225/60/15 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 225/60/15 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Heat shield loose

Rear Wheel arches corroded

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 2 Oct 2018

Exhaust corroded

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower 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))

Offside Inner Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Fail 25 Sep 2018

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 major leak of exhaust gases Centre exhaust (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Exhaust corroded

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Cracked (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower 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))

Offside Inner Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Pass 12 Oct 2017 253,560 miles

Front coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

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

both rear tyres worn on inner edge

Fail 2 Oct 2017 253,558 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Front coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak ()

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

both rear tyres worn on inner edge

rear bumper insecure

Pass 6 Oct 2016

Offside outer sill corroded

Oil leak ()

body is showing signs of corrosion

Fail 1 Oct 2016

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases exhaust joiner (7.1.2)

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)

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

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

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

Offside outer sill corroded

Oil leak ()

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both discs (3.5.1i)

body is showing signs of corrosion

Pass 13 Oct 2015

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre to rear joint +hanging down low (7.1.2)

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

sill covers fitted not allowing full inspection of sills

Pass 30 Sep 2014

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

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

Oil leak

n/s outer headlamp lens cracked

Fail 29 Sep 2014

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

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

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

Oil leak

n/s outer headlamp lens cracked

Pass 12 Oct 2013 221,042 miles

bottom steering column bush is slightly worn

ehaust is corroded in places,but not blowing

nearside headlamp lens cracked,but beam image is ok

offside front drop link rubber boot is split

Pass 22 Oct 2012 213,131 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2012 213,131 miles

Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Inner Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Outer Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

exhaust system corroded +heat shields loose

Pass 11 Oct 2011 206,589 miles
Fail 23 Sep 2011 206,589 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Pass 23 Sep 2010 199,714 miles

Nearside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 29 Sep 2009 194,287 miles

Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

general corrosion on underside of vechile

n/s dip lamp lens cracked

plastic covers on sills full check not carried out

Pass 29 Sep 2009 194,287 miles

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

general corrosion on underside of vechile

n/s dip lamp lens cracked

plastic covers on sills full check not carried out

Pass 7 Oct 2008 187,180 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2008 187,169 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

Heat shield above rear exhaust silencer detached from body of vehicle.

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2007 178,793 miles

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

Pass 21 Sep 2006 165,426 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2006 165,347 miles

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

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

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

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

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)

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

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

N515 BFL is a 1996 BMW 520 in Green with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.5%.

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 N515 BFL, 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 N515 BFL?

You can check the full history of N515 BFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N515 BFL registered?

N515 BFL is a 1996 BMW 520, first registered on 15 May 1996.

Is N515 BFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N515 BFL shows 23 tests with a 56.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N515 BFL 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 N515 BFL. 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.