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P476 HWH

1997 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 Mar 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

177,951 mi
Last recorded177,951 miles
Recorded on3 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP476 HWH
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourGreen
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 11 fail
Fail 3 Mar 2026 177,951 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective blade split. (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2025 176,656 miles
Fail 5 Mar 2025 176,649 miles

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 8 Mar 2024 173,458 miles

Coolant leak ()

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both sides covered in grease. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both corroded and covered in grease. (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both rear sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear lower bushes worn. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both sides. (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both sides. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 27 Jan 2023 168,820 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2023 168,815 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Power steering component leaking rack (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 9 Nov 2021 162,473 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2021 162,450 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Inner rack end slight play

low on fuel

Pass 17 Nov 2020 159,446 miles

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

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

manufactures engine covers and under trays on vehicle

Pass 15 Nov 2019 156,165 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All brake pipes greased (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Nov 2018 149,867 miles

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

Engine covers & under trays fitted

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 15 Nov 2018 149,867 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

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

Engine covers & under trays fitted

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 30 Nov 2017 146,921 miles

Engine covers and undertrays fitted

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 27 Nov 2017 146,915 miles

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

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

Engine covers and undertrays fitted

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 13 Jul 2016 145,178 miles

engine covers and undertrays fitted

Pass 17 Jul 2015 140,719 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 14 Jul 2014 131,640 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2014 131,630 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2013 125,777 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2012 121,339 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 17 Jun 2011 114,821 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2011 114,814 miles

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

Pass 24 Feb 2010 107,826 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2010 107,826 miles

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

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

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

Fail 21 Apr 2009 101,295 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

cracks in o/s front tyre

Pass 21 Apr 2009 101,295 miles

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

cracks in o/s front tyre

Pass 12 Apr 2008 97,467 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Fail 2 Apr 2008 97,467 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

centre stop lamp inop

Pass 20 Mar 2007 90,537 miles

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

Pass 9 May 2006 82,791 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

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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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P476 HWH is a 1997 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 P476 HWH, 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 P476 HWH?

You can check the full history of P476 HWH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P476 HWH registered?

P476 HWH is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 19 March 1997.

Is P476 HWH safe to buy?

The MOT history for P476 HWH shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P476 HWH 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 P476 HWH. 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.