CarVerify

Free Car Check

P231 PLP

1996 BMW 535

Silver Petrol 3498cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Mar 2027
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

109,078 mi
Last recorded109,078 miles
Recorded on26 Mar 2026
Typical for 1996 BMW 535127,247 mi

Below or 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

RegistrationP231 PLP
MakeBMW
Model535
Year1996
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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

18 pass 6 fail
Pass 26 Mar 2026 109,078 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output Condensation (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Fail 23 Mar 2026 109,068 miles

Driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen significantly affected by an obstruction Wipers not parking (3.1 (a) (ii))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output Condensation (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Pass 26 Jun 2025 105,307 miles
Pass 5 May 2023 100,810 miles
Fail 3 May 2023 100,808 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 5 May 2022 96,299 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2021 93,594 miles

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 10 Apr 2021 93,594 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 11 Jul 2019 92,665 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2019 92,665 miles

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 14 May 2018 89,307 miles
Fail 25 Apr 2018 89,303 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear at side of fuel tank (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on not working (8.2.1b)

Pass 5 Sep 2016 88,108 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2015 87,162 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2014 85,052 miles

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

Pass 9 Aug 2013 83,483 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2012 81,488 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2012 81,486 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 10 Jun 2011 79,914 miles

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

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

Pass 14 May 2010 74,591 miles

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

Pass 5 May 2009 77,148 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

slight corrosion to brake and fuel lines

Pass 11 Apr 2008 76,295 miles
Pass 21 May 2007 70,857 miles

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 5 May 2006 63,852 miles

front pads getting low

How Reliable is the BMW 535?

Based on 216,162 MOT tests across 18,035 vehicles.

78.7%
Pass Rate
7,094
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
18,035
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,346
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,237
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,669
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,608
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,438
Full BMW 535 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

P231 PLP is a 1996 BMW 535 in Silver with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1996 BMW 535 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.9% with a typical mileage of 127,247 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 535 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,346 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P231 PLP, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 535 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 30 years old, this BMW 535 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P231 PLP?

You can check the full history of P231 PLP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P231 PLP registered?

P231 PLP is a 1996 BMW 535, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is P231 PLP safe to buy?

The MOT history for P231 PLP shows 24 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P231 PLP 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 P231 PLP. 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.