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P181 JNU

1997 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Apr 2017
Tests20 (10 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

175,285 mi
Last recorded175,285 miles
Recorded on19 Apr 2016
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP181 JNU
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

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

10 pass 10 fail
Pass 19 Apr 2016 175,285 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint rear ball jont (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Sill panel covered with underseal , corrosion not visible.

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

fuel pipes corroded

plastic sill covers fitted unable to fully inspect sills

slight damage to near side sill

Fail 13 Apr 2016 175,284 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 Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush front arm (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Direction indicator not working all 3 (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush front arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint rear ball jont (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

fuel pipes corroded

plastic sill covers fitted unable to fully inspect sills

slight damage to near side sill

Fail 24 Feb 2016 175,256 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)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint Marked in yellow (2.4.G.2)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Fuel pipes corroded marked in yellow

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

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre is perishing and has small cracks appearing

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Oil leak

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 28 Jan 2015 149,216 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

brake pipes slightly corroded

steering / suspension has slight play

Pass 4 Oct 2013 137,789 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

both front steering arms have play

n/s outer sill damaged

Fail 1 Oct 2013 137,787 miles

Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

both front steering arms have play

n/s outer sill damaged

Pass 19 Oct 2012 130,209 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Fail 19 Oct 2012 130,197 miles

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

Nearside Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 29 Sep 2011 121,325 miles

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Coolant leak

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

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

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

under vehicle corroded

Pass 16 Oct 2010 112,396 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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)

Oil leak

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

Fail 11 Oct 2010 112,379 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Outer Rear Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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)

Oil leak

Pass 12 Oct 2009 102,080 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

airbag Light on

nearside rear Coil spring in-correctly seated

struggled to meet emission limits

Fail 1 Oct 2009 102,041 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Oil leak

airbag Light on

front Registration plate damaged

nearside rear Coil spring in-correctly seated

Pass 30 Sep 2008 94,333 miles

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

Oil leak

air bag light on

front number plate cracked

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Fail 30 Sep 2008 94,333 miles

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

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

Oil leak

air bag light on

front number plate cracked

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 3 Apr 2007 85,664 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Oil leak

air bag light on

nearside rear tyre worn close to legel limit

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

slight exhaust blow

Fail 31 Mar 2007 85,589 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Oil leak

air bag light on

nearside rear tyre worn close to legel limit

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

slight exhaust blow

Fail 30 Sep 2006 81,262 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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)

Oil leak

Pass 23 Mar 2006 78,483 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2006 78,481 miles

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

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)

How Reliable is the BMW 523?

Based on 254,660 MOT tests across 20,979 vehicles.

69.9%
Pass Rate
5,849
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
20,979
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,201
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,085
parking brake recording little or no effort 9,427
Brake pipe excessively corroded 9,143
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 7,285
Full BMW 523 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

P181 JNU is a 1997 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

Across all 1997 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 121,619 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 523 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 17,201 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P181 JNU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 523 typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 523 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P181 JNU?

You can check the full history of P181 JNU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P181 JNU registered?

P181 JNU is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 27 March 1997.

Is P181 JNU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P181 JNU shows 20 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P181 JNU 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 P181 JNU. 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.