CarVerify

Free Car Check

P481 XGT

1997 BMW 520

Black Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 Feb 2014
Tests14 (7 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

127,575 mi
Last recorded127,575 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2014
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Below or 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

RegistrationP481 XGT
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

7 pass 7 fail
Fail 8 Apr 2014 127,575 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Feb 2013 119,784 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2012 113,068 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2012 112,719 miles

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

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

air bag light staying on

slight wear on both the rear brake discs

Pass 28 Sep 2010 104,487 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2010 104,487 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Fail 26 Feb 2009 92,453 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

air bag light staying on

slight play in both the front wheels

Pass 26 Feb 2009 92,453 miles

air bag light staying on

slight play in both the front wheels

Pass 11 Mar 2008 84,419 miles

all front bottom ball joint dust covers are split

slight play in the offside front wheel, seem's to be in the bottom ball joint

Fail 7 Mar 2008 84,419 miles

Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

all front bottom ball joint dust covers are split

slight play in the offside front wheel, seem's to be in the bottom ball joint

Fail 29 Feb 2008 84,392 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2006 69,497 miles

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

Fail 7 Feb 2006 67,367 miles

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

Pass 7 Feb 2006 67,367 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

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

P481 XGT is a 1997 BMW 520 in Black with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 14 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 P481 XGT, 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 P481 XGT?

You can check the full history of P481 XGT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P481 XGT registered?

P481 XGT is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 25 March 1997.

Is P481 XGT safe to buy?

The MOT history for P481 XGT shows 14 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P481 XGT 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 P481 XGT. 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.