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P181 LHK

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jul 2027
Tests39 (21 pass, 18 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

201,981 mi
Last recorded201,981 miles
Recorded on20 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP181 LHK
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

21 pass 18 fail
Pass 20 Jul 2026 201,981 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases sleeve leaking (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Fail 6 Jul 2026 201,976 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached outer rear bush retaining clip has fallen off and bush has started to slide out of the arm (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases sleeve leaking (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Offside Rear Inner Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jul 2025 200,345 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded lower rubber seat is split (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Jul 2025 200,341 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached rear bush pulled out of hub (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded lower rubber seat is split (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective split end (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective split end (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Jul 2024 198,453 miles

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

Fail 22 Jul 2024 198,448 miles

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 25 Jul 2023 196,464 miles

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

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

Fail 24 Jul 2023 196,462 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Fuel pipe leaking steel pipe rotted (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2022 192,438 miles

Metal fuel pipes corroded by fuel tank

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Upper front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 20 Jul 2022 192,434 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn Nut maybe loose (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt upper rear (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Metal fuel pipes corroded by fuel tank

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Upper front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 27 Jul 2021 188,428 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2021 188,428 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective faded (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 31 Jul 2020 184,512 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Slight rusting on sills by both rear jacking points

Fail 27 Jul 2020 184,496 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Fuel pipe leaking at the rear steel pipe corroded (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and has a nail in it (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 15 Apr 2019 178,889 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Fail 15 Apr 2019 178,889 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Pass 16 Apr 2018 171,491 miles

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Pass 18 Apr 2017 163,042 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Apr 2017 163,039 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

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

Pass 19 Apr 2016 158,039 miles

Fuel pipe slightly damaged main fuel pipes very corroded (7.2.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit thin on inside edge (4.1.E.1)

fuel pump very noisy

Fail 18 Apr 2016 158,032 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded both front to rear pipes (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both rear lower hub pin gaiter's (2.4.G.2)

Fuel pipe slightly damaged main fuel pipes very corroded (7.2.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit thin on inside edge (4.1.E.1)

fuel pump very noisy

washers only just good enough

wipers smeary

Pass 16 Apr 2015 152,082 miles

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

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

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

near side front fog light glass is broken

Fail 16 Apr 2015 152,082 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

near side front fog light glass is broken

Fail 15 Apr 2015 152,078 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

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

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

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

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

near side front fog light glass is broken

Pass 9 Apr 2014 146,054 miles

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

Fail 9 Apr 2014 146,052 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Pass 18 Apr 2013 139,935 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2013 139,934 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2012 133,624 miles

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 14 Apr 2011 127,485 miles

Air bag light on

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Signs of oil on steering rack gaiters possible leak

Pass 16 Apr 2010 121,608 miles

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

OFFSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP CONDENSATION ON LENS BOTH HEADLAMP PATTERNS POOR

OFFSIDE REAR HANDBRAKE EFFORT SLIGHTLY LOW

Fail 15 Apr 2010 121,606 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

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

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

OFFSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP CONDENSATION ON LENS BOTH HEADLAMP PATTERNS POOR

OFFSIDE REAR HANDBRAKE EFFORT SLIGHTLY LOW

Pass 16 Apr 2009 114,771 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

slight play both outer ends of steering rack

Pass 18 Apr 2008 109,010 miles

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

Fail 18 Apr 2008 109,008 miles

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

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 20 Apr 2007 59,019 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2007 102,780 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Apr 2006 96,454 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2006 96,452 miles

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

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

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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 LHK is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 39 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.8%.

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 LHK, 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 LHK?

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

What year was P181 LHK registered?

P181 LHK is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 1 January 1997.

Is P181 LHK safe to buy?

The MOT history for P181 LHK shows 39 tests with a 53.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P181 LHK 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 LHK. 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.