CarVerify

Free Car Check

P323 ODA

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Mar 2027
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

151,751 mi
Last recorded151,751 miles
Recorded on3 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Above 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

RegistrationP323 ODA
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

21 pass 10 fail
Pass 3 Mar 2026 151,751 miles

Central Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s n/s D bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective o/s n/s (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s n/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Mar 2025 149,209 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Pass 16 Mar 2024 145,025 miles

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))

Pass 18 Mar 2023 143,829 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear exhaust box heat shield insecure

Fail 18 Mar 2023 143,829 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear exhaust box heat shield insecure

Pass 21 Mar 2022 141,208 miles

engine covers and under trays fitted

Pass 12 Mar 2021 138,939 miles
Fail 6 Mar 2021 138,929 miles

Nearside Front Power steering ram leaking rack (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened n/s+o/s (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 18 Mar 2020 137,253 miles
Fail 13 Mar 2020 137,252 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2019 135,353 miles

Front Coil spring corroded Both front springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rear springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 19 Mar 2019 135,348 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Mar 2019 135,346 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover missing (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords side (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Front Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Position lamp not working side (4.2.1 (a))

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

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge sidewall pershed (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2m sidewall perished (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Mar 2018 130,442 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

O/S/F & O/S/R & N/S /R TYRES SIDEWALLS PERISHED

Oil leak ? ()

Pass 20 Mar 2017 121,579 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

oil leak

parking brake just met requirement

Fail 18 Mar 2017 121,576 miles

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

oil leak

Pass 12 Mar 2016 112,830 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2015 110,674 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 10 Mar 2014 107,422 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2014 107,422 miles

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Pass 18 Mar 2013 104,221 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2012 101,365 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2011 96,724 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2011 96,724 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Fail 9 Mar 2010 90,550 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 9 Mar 2010 90,550 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2009 84,709 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2009 84,709 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 11 Mar 2008 82,751 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2007 80,173 miles
Pass 6 Mar 2006 78,958 miles

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

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

P323 ODA is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P323 ODA, 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 P323 ODA?

You can check the full history of P323 ODA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P323 ODA registered?

P323 ODA is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P323 ODA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P323 ODA shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P323 ODA 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 P323 ODA. 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.