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P500 PHG

1996 BMW 523

Red Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires30 Jul 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

63,913 mi
Last recorded63,913 miles
Recorded on25 Jul 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 523123,198 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP500 PHG
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1996
ColourRed
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 25 Jul 2025 63,913 miles

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

both front brake back plates corroded around fixing holes

Fail 15 Jul 2025 63,921 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

both front brake back plates corroded around fixing holes

Pass 26 Jul 2024 63,286 miles
Fail 26 Jul 2024 63,284 miles

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

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

Pass 31 Jul 2023 61,401 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2023 61,398 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Jul 2022 59,609 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Jul 2022 59,598 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2021 57,868 miles

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2021 57,851 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2020 55,647 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Jul 2019 53,976 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rears (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 25 Jul 2019 53,976 miles

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

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rears (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Jul 2018 50,915 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2018 50,914 miles

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

catalyst rattling

Pass 24 Jul 2017 45,577 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2016 44,360 miles

under trays and engine covers fitted

Pass 23 Jul 2015 43,513 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 17 Jul 2014 42,550 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Power steering pulses on light loads.

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 16 Jul 2014 42,542 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 14 Jul 2014 42,504 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 11 Jul 2013 41,530 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 5 Jul 2012 40,206 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 5 Jul 2012 40,206 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 18 Jul 2011 39,102 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2010 37,870 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2009 36,459 miles

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

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

rear parking brake only just passed at 16% and doesnt lock up

Pass 23 Jul 2008 35,076 miles
Pass 23 Jul 2007 33,768 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2006 31,902 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2006 31,882 miles

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

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P500 PHG is a 1996 BMW 523 in Red with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1996 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.0% with a typical mileage of 123,198 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 P500 PHG, 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 30 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 P500 PHG?

You can check the full history of P500 PHG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P500 PHG registered?

P500 PHG is a 1996 BMW 523, first registered on 1 August 1996.

Is P500 PHG safe to buy?

The MOT history for P500 PHG shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P500 PHG 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 P500 PHG. 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.