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P247 DDF

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests12 (8 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

173,557 mi
Last recorded173,557 miles
Recorded on15 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP247 DDF
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

8 pass 4 fail
Pass 15 Dec 2025 173,557 miles

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

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Nearside & Offside (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 17 Dec 2024 169,526 miles

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

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Nearside Front Outer Direction indicator slightly discoloured Wing (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 17 Dec 2024 169,425 miles

Offside Front Outer Direction indicator incorrect colour Wing (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Nearside Front Outer Direction indicator slightly discoloured Wing (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 7 Dec 2023 161,448 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both side (4.1.4 (b))

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both side facing front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective both side (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2022 157,159 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2021 150,973 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both sides (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

General corrosion under-body and suspension components.

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 21 Dec 2021 150,973 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both sides (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

General corrosion under-body and suspension components.

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 12 Mar 2015 149,393 miles

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

Pass 24 Sep 2008 148,760 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2008 148,755 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Pass 17 Mar 2007 142,748 miles
Fail 21 Dec 2006 139,547 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (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

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P247 DDF is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 12 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 P247 DDF, 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 P247 DDF?

You can check the full history of P247 DDF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P247 DDF registered?

P247 DDF is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 6 May 1997.

Is P247 DDF safe to buy?

The MOT history for P247 DDF shows 12 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P247 DDF 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 P247 DDF. 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.