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P38 DPM

1997 BMW 525

Black Diesel 2498cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Feb 2024
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

153,190 mi
Last recorded153,190 miles
Recorded on11 Feb 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW 525141,402 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP38 DPM
MakeBMW
Model525
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,498cc

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

18 pass 13 fail
Pass 11 Feb 2023 153,190 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge All tyres (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 11 Feb 2023 153,190 miles

Brake slack adjuster obviously defective (1.1.18 (b))

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Prop shaft securing bolt loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Speedometer cannot be illuminated (7.8 (c) (ii))

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge All tyres (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 9 Feb 2023 153,130 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin at 3 mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear silencer mount broken

Fail 27 Jan 2023 153,085 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 28 Jan 2022 143,630 miles

Advise; Both steering rack inner tie rod universal joint slightly worn.

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 28 Jan 2022 143,630 miles

Advise; Both steering rack inner tie rod universal joint slightly worn.

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 26 Jan 2021 137,162 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint has slight play outer ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test ()

Fail 18 Jan 2021 137,162 miles

Brake master cylinder defective but brake still operating (1.1.10 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt outer ball joint boot (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Brake servo inoperative (1.1.10 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test ()

Fail 22 Dec 2020 137,160 miles

Brake master cylinder defective but brake still operating creeps away progressively under load but stops short of the floor (1.1.10 (b) (i))

Brake pressure/vacuum build up too slow servo fault does not operate as intended (1.1.3 (b))

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt outer ball joint boot tie arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Fuel system component leaking excessively or a risk of fire fuel pump area (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect shocker is damp and has limited damping affect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect shock has limited damping affect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Towball/hitch not fitted at time of test ()

Pass 7 Jan 2020 134,250 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 5 Dec 2018 130,161 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Fail 23 Nov 2018 130,156 miles

Central Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin inner pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 16 Nov 2017 124,312 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2017 124,312 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 13 Oct 2016 114,634 miles

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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 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)

child seats in n/s/r and o/s/r

Fail 13 Oct 2016 114,634 miles

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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)

child seats in n/s/r and o/s/r

Pass 7 Oct 2015 105,095 miles

Offside Front Bump stop deteriorated

Pass 23 Oct 2014 97,115 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Nov 2013 94,764 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Pass 28 Nov 2012 92,739 miles

slight play in nsr track arm joint

Pass 1 Dec 2011 899,453 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 1 Dec 2011 899,453 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 10 Dec 2010 87,429 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2010 87,414 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 9 Dec 2009 85,047 miles

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

Pass 11 Dec 2008 82,775 miles

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

Fail 11 Dec 2008 82,775 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 13 Dec 2007 79,922 miles

front tyres 2.5 + 3mm. rear tyres 3mm

Fail 13 Dec 2007 79,922 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

front tyres 2.5 + 3mm. rear tyres 3mm

Pass 14 Dec 2006 76,679 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2005 71,650 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 525?

Based on 724,963 MOT tests across 56,965 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
7,259
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
56,965
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 33,171
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,448
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,227
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 10,065
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 9,710
Full BMW 525 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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P38 DPM is a 1997 BMW 525 in Black with a 2,498cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

Across all 1997 BMW 525 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.3% with a typical mileage of 141,402 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 525 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 33,171 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P38 DPM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 525 typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 525 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P38 DPM?

You can check the full history of P38 DPM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P38 DPM registered?

P38 DPM is a 1997 BMW 525, first registered on 3 January 1997.

Is P38 DPM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P38 DPM shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P38 DPM 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 P38 DPM. 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.