CarVerify

Free Car Check

N518 XVU

1996 BMW 518

Green Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Jun 2027
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

Typical for 1996 BMW 518126,076 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

RegistrationN518 XVU
MakeBMW
Model518
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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 7 fail
Pass 22 Jun 2026

Fuel filter slightly loose

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

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Jul 2024 130,040 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2023

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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Rear Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced both (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Front Arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Aug 2022 129,390 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Fuel filler breather pipe

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner sill and jacking point along the pinch weld (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 31 Aug 2021 129,364 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Pass 29 Oct 2020 129,301 miles

Exhaust back box deteriorated

Exhaust heatshield loose

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 27 Oct 2020 129,301 miles

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

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

Exhaust back box deteriorated

Exhaust heatshield loose

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 25 Apr 2019 127,163 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Suspension leg top mounting slight movement

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

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2018 125,167 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Oil leak

Rear Both rear tyres wearing on the inner edges

Rear Fuel pipes slightly corroded

Pass 28 Apr 2017 122,688 miles

Both rear tyres wearing on the inside edges

Exhaust back box deteriorated

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush Both rear (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust bracket broken but not resulting in excessive movement

Rear Fuel pipes slightly corroded

Fail 25 Apr 2017 122,677 miles

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

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

Both rear tyres wearing on the inside edges

Exhaust back box deteriorated

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush Both rear (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust bracket broken but not resulting in excessive movement

Rear Fuel pipes slightly corroded

Pass 26 Apr 2016 120,557 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2015 116,586 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

Fail 27 Apr 2015 116,580 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

Pass 30 Apr 2014 113,707 miles

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

rear tyres split

Pass 16 Apr 2013 109,382 miles

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

both rear tyres cracked/perished

brake pad warning light on

drivers door card off at time of retest and inner door release cable operated by temporary means

Fail 5 Apr 2013 109,229 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

brake pad warning light on

nearside front and offside rear tyres cracked/perished but not yet split deep enough to reach ply/cords

Pass 2 Mar 2012 103,947 miles

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

front disks corroded

Pass 18 Oct 2010 100,074 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 6 Oct 2009 95,385 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Oct 2008 91,220 miles

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

Pass 8 Oct 2007 90,983 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2006 87,168 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2006 87,168 miles

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

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

screen washer resovior leaking

Pass 23 Aug 2005 80,261 miles

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

Fail 16 Aug 2005 80,092 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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)

brake wear light on

How Reliable is the BMW 518?

Based on 62,660 MOT tests across 8,904 vehicles.

74.0%
Pass Rate
6,367
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
8,904
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,373
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,837
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,465
position lamp(s) not working 1,178
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,104
Full BMW 518 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

N518 XVU is a 1996 BMW 518 in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

Across all 1996 BMW 518 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.3% with a typical mileage of 126,076 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 518 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 3,373 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N518 XVU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 518 typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 30 years old, this BMW 518 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N518 XVU?

You can check the full history of N518 XVU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N518 XVU registered?

N518 XVU is a 1996 BMW 518, first registered on 27 March 1996.

Is N518 XVU safe to buy?

The MOT history for N518 XVU shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N518 XVU 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 N518 XVU. 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.