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N538 UEG

1996 BMW 518

Blue Petrol 1766cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Oct 2026
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

111,046 mi
Last recorded111,046 miles
Recorded on14 Oct 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 518126,076 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

RegistrationN538 UEG
MakeBMW
Model518
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,766cc

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 8 fail
Pass 14 Oct 2025 111,046 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Fail 10 Oct 2025 111,037 miles

Central Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

Front Exhaust system insecure bracket broken (6.1.2 (a))

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure rubber mounting missing (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Pass 14 Oct 2024 108,145 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 7 Oct 2023 100,510 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Sep 2022 99,495 miles

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

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

Fail 8 Sep 2022

Central Upper Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

N/S/R TYRE TREAD WORN VERY LOW NO TREAD ON INNER EDGES

O/S/R TYRE TREAD WORN LOW,NO TREAD ON INNER EDGE

front exhaust bracket corroded/broken

o/s and n/s rear trailing arm stability link gaiters badly split/perished

Pass 6 Aug 2021 98,621 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing has a split in wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 4 Aug 2021 98,582 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases back box (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing has a split in wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

exhaust rubber broken

Pass 2 Sep 2020 98,053 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2020 98,053 miles

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases box (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Sep 2019 97,472 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

engine has an oil leak

exhaust rubber perished

sill covers fitted

Fail 3 Sep 2019 97,472 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

engine has an oil leak

exhaust rubber perished

sill covers fitted

Pass 29 Aug 2018 96,827 miles

screen chipped.

Pass 24 Aug 2017 96,072 miles

screen chipped.

Pass 30 Aug 2016 95,576 miles

screen chipped.

Pass 1 Sep 2015 95,217 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2014 94,848 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

o/s/f tyre has a nail in it

rear sub frame mounts starting to deterirate

tyre n/s/r worn inner edge

wire disconected on brake sensers all round

Pass 2 Sep 2013 94,172 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2013 94,172 miles

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 4 Sep 2012 93,381 miles

both front tyres warn on inner edge

Pass 10 Aug 2011 92,780 miles

Engine slight oil leack

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)

Water driping from heater valve

Pass 6 Aug 2010 92,098 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2009 91,372 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2008 90,403 miles

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

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

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

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

Tyre wear suggests incorrect tracking

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 15 Aug 2008 90,403 miles

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)

Tyre wear suggests incorrect tracking

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 21 Aug 2007 89,637 miles

FRONT & REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATOR WIRES BROKEN

FRONT TYRES WEARING INSIDE EDGES

MINOR DAMAGE TO FRONT NO.PLATE

Fail 29 Aug 2006 88,787 miles

FRONT BRAKE DISCS SLIGHTLY WORN

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

TYRE WEAR SUGGESTS INCORRECT TRACKING

Pass 29 Aug 2006 88,787 miles

FRONT BRAKE DISCS SLIGHTLY WORN

TYRE WEAR SUGGESTS INCORRECT TRACKING

Pass 31 Aug 2005

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

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N538 UEG is a 1996 BMW 518 in Blue with a 1,766cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 N538 UEG, 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 N538 UEG?

You can check the full history of N538 UEG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N538 UEG registered?

N538 UEG is a 1996 BMW 518, first registered on 29 April 1996.

Is N538 UEG safe to buy?

The MOT history for N538 UEG shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N538 UEG 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 N538 UEG. 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.