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P285 LBA

1997 BMW 520

Green Petrol 1990cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Oct 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

171,963 mi
Last recorded171,963 miles
Recorded on27 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 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

RegistrationP285 LBA
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,990cc

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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 27 Sep 2025 171,963 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 27 Sep 2025 171,963 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 25 Sep 2024 170,508 miles

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 25 Sep 2024 170,508 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 28 Sep 2023 167,941 miles

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

Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 22 Oct 2022 165,824 miles

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security around jacking points (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Oct 2022 165,824 miles

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security around jacking points (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Pass 23 Oct 2021 164,121 miles

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security around jacking points (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play rack end (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play rack end (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Oct 2020 163,210 miles

Nearside rear jacking point corroded

Offside rear jacking sills corrodded

Pass 2 Dec 2019 161,408 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2018 158,671 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2017 155,030 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Aug 2017 155,030 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Pass 12 Aug 2016 150,226 miles
Fail 2 May 2015 144,760 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 2 May 2015 144,760 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2014 126,191 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

nearside front tyre wearing low on inner edge

offside front tyre wearing low on inner edge

Fail 24 Apr 2014 126,151 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

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

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

Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a) DANGEROUS

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b) DANGEROUS

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 1 May 2013 108,430 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 May 2013 108,425 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Apr 2012 91,615 miles
Fail 25 Apr 2012 91,610 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 23 Apr 2011 76,872 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2011 76,872 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2010 59,722 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2010 59,722 miles

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

Pass 20 Apr 2009 43,422 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2007 43,386 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2006 40,878 miles

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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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.

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P285 LBA is a 1997 BMW 520 in Green with a 1,990cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 P285 LBA, 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 P285 LBA?

You can check the full history of P285 LBA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P285 LBA registered?

P285 LBA is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 7 April 1997.

Is P285 LBA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P285 LBA shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P285 LBA 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 P285 LBA. 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.