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P278 DFR

1997 BMW 520

Red Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Mar 2016
Tests15 (10 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

167,039 mi
Last recorded167,039 miles
Recorded on20 Feb 2015
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP278 DFR
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 5 fail
Pass 20 Feb 2015 167,039 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Pass 5 Mar 2014 155,966 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2013 144,045 miles

Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 10 Mar 2012 132,872 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Oil leak

drivers seat adjustment not working

Fail 9 Mar 2012 132,872 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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 warning light on

drivers seat adjustment not working

Pass 28 Feb 2011 120,720 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2011 120,719 miles

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 26 Feb 2010 116,507 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2010 116,507 miles

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

Pass 28 Feb 2009 104,074 miles

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 31 Mar 2008 94,265 miles

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 28 Feb 2007 82,708 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2007 82,708 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2006 74,001 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2006 74,001 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

How Reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 1,661,806 MOT tests across 152,584 vehicles.

78.5%
Pass Rate
7,968
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
152,584
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47,121
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22,647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,724
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15,884
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 14,720
Full BMW 520 reliability report

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P278 DFR is a 1997 BMW 520 in Red with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1997 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.6% with a typical mileage of 121,946 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P278 DFR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 520 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P278 DFR?

You can check the full history of P278 DFR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P278 DFR registered?

P278 DFR is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P278 DFR safe to buy?

The MOT history for P278 DFR shows 15 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 P278 DFR 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 P278 DFR. 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.