CarVerify

Free Car Check

N638 XJM

1996 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Dec 2022
Tests31 (16 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate51.6%

Mileage

155,132 mi
Last recorded155,132 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 2021
Typical for 1996 BMW 520126,144 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN638 XJM
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

16 pass 15 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2021 155,132 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2021 154,875 miles

Emissions not tested due to engine misfire (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 21 May 2020
Fail 20 May 2020

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn both (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Apr 2019

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn axle bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn axle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 9 Apr 2019

Brake disc significantly and obviously worn both front (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn axle bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn axle bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 9 Apr 2018 147,330 miles

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

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

fuel pipes corroded but no leaks

offside front crossmember corroded not part of prescribed areas

Fail 6 Apr 2018 147,328 miles

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

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

fuel pipes corroded but no leaks

offside front crossmember corroded not part of prescribed areas

Pass 12 Apr 2017 134,128 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2017 134,128 miles

Central Exhaust system not adequately supported rubber broken (7.1.1)

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported metal bracket corroded (7.1.1)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt outer (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Inner Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced d bracket (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 29 Mar 2016

covers fitted

exhaust rubbers broken but still sercure.

slight play in front steering arms+front cross member

Pass 22 Apr 2015 125,356 miles

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

Fail 20 Apr 2015 125,353 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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)

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Pass 17 Apr 2014 120,809 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 14 Apr 2014 120,809 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 15 Apr 2013 116,879 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

all tyres perishing

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 15 Apr 2013 116,879 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

all tyres perishing

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 26 Apr 2012 113,411 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2012 113,411 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2011 110,092 miles
Fail 26 Mar 2011 110,045 miles

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

Pass 24 Mar 2010 107,012 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Fail 23 Mar 2010 107,009 miles

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Pass 27 Mar 2009 103,129 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Fail 26 Mar 2009 103,127 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Pass 24 Apr 2008 100,871 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Fail 23 Apr 2008 100,869 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored (3.5.1h)

Offside rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

rear silencer heat shield insecure

Pass 27 Apr 2007 85,039 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2007 85,039 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Pass 21 Apr 2006 71,998 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2006 71,996 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

N638 XJM 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 51.6%.

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 N638 XJM, 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 N638 XJM?

You can check the full history of N638 XJM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N638 XJM registered?

N638 XJM is a 1996 BMW 520, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is N638 XJM safe to buy?

The MOT history for N638 XJM shows 31 tests with a 51.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N638 XJM 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 N638 XJM. 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.