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P254 FNX

1997 BMW 523

Black Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 May 2027
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

194,903 mi
Last recorded194,903 miles
Recorded on11 May 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

RegistrationP254 FNX
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

19 pass 15 fail
Pass 11 May 2026 194,903 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear floor panel corroded but not exessive

Fail 27 Apr 2026 194,902 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake drum worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake drum worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear floor panel corroded but not exessive

Pass 17 Mar 2025 191,630 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

fuel tank strap rusty

Fail 6 Mar 2025 191,574 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

fuel tank strap rusty

Pass 11 Mar 2024 189,437 miles

Offside Front pattern starting to degrade

Offside slight play in rack

fuel tank strap rusty

Fail 27 Feb 2024 189,433 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front pattern starting to degrade

Offside slight play in rack

fuel tank strap rusty

Pass 14 Feb 2023 188,702 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 6 Feb 2023 188,701 miles

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

Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Outline marker lamp lens seriously defective (4.2.1 (b))

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Outline marker lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Outline marker lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 7 Feb 2022 187,945 miles

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

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

n/s handbrake effort poor

Fail 7 Feb 2022 187,945 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

n/s handbrake effort poor

Pass 10 Feb 2021 186,700 miles

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

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

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

Fail 25 Jan 2021 186,700 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 4 Dec 2019 184,743 miles

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

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

Fail 30 Nov 2019 184,743 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system front to rear burst (1.1.11 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear burst (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2018 183,416 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

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

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Sep 2018 183,416 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

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

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 11 Sep 2017 181,896 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak ()

Fail 4 Sep 2017 181,896 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak ()

Fail 20 Jun 2017 181,871 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (5.2.6)

Pass 16 Feb 2016 174,690 miles

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Fail 10 Feb 2016 174,690 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

Fail 6 Feb 2015 157,636 miles

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

Pass 6 Feb 2015 157,636 miles
Pass 5 Feb 2014 145,412 miles
Pass 3 Aug 2012 114,502 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2011 143,753 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2011 143,753 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 7 Jul 2010 141,625 miles
Pass 8 Jul 2009 141,129 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2008 140,674 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2007 140,036 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2007 140,000 miles

Nearside Rear An item not tested (Manual)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear An item not tested (Manual)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 13 Jul 2006 138,461 miles

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

Fail 12 Jul 2006 138,445 miles

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

Nearside Front 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)

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

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

P254 FNX is a 1997 BMW 523 in Black with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

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 P254 FNX, 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 P254 FNX?

You can check the full history of P254 FNX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P254 FNX registered?

P254 FNX is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P254 FNX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P254 FNX shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P254 FNX 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 P254 FNX. 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.