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P502 XHB

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 May 2018
Tests21 (12 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

217,402 mi
Last recorded217,402 miles
Recorded on9 May 2017
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP502 XHB
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

12 pass 9 fail
Pass 9 May 2017 217,402 miles

Central Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' on the max limit (8.3.1a)

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

Nearside Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Oil leak ()

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

Rear parking brake only just passed brake efficency test at 16%

general underbody rusting

Fail 4 May 2017 217,392 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both sides blades splitting (8.2.2)

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

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

Rear Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded both sides supply pipes marked in yellow (3.6.B.2c)

Central Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' on the max limit (8.3.1a)

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

Nearside Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Oil leak ()

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

general underbody rusting

Pass 15 Jun 2016 204,325 miles

Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play inner rack ends (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

general underbody rusting

Fail 2 Jun 2016 204,308 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak strut (2.7.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play inner rack ends (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

general underbody rusting

Pass 3 Jul 2015 189,087 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 1 Jul 2015 189,080 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 1 Jul 2014 174,764 miles

fuel pipe corroded centre to rear

nearside rear inner sidelight out

oil leak

Fail 30 Jun 2014 174,758 miles

Nearside Front Electrical wiring insecure (1.9.2a)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

fuel pipe corroded centre to rear

nearside rear inner sidelight out

oil leak

Pass 15 Jun 2013 169,040 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

sill covers fitted

Fail 11 Jun 2013 169,036 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

sill covers fitted

Pass 1 Jun 2012 164,411 miles

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front tyre has a cut not deep enough to reach ply or cords

offside front tyre has a cut not deep enough to reach ply or cords

Fail 1 Jun 2012 164,411 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front tyre has a cut not deep enough to reach ply or cords

offside front tyre has a cut not deep enough to reach ply or cords

Pass 9 Aug 2011 160,769 miles

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

advise front tyres wearing and slight cuts

Fail 5 Aug 2011 160,769 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

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

advise front tyres wearing and slight cuts

Pass 24 Jun 2010 134,759 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

both rear brake discs slightly pitted

Pass 1 Sep 2009 130,661 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2009 130,661 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear boot dose not lock

Pass 2 Sep 2008 124,919 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2007 111,224 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2006 105,540 miles

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

Fail 31 Aug 2006 105,540 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

P502 XHB is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 P502 XHB, 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 P502 XHB?

You can check the full history of P502 XHB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P502 XHB registered?

P502 XHB is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P502 XHB safe to buy?

The MOT history for P502 XHB shows 21 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P502 XHB 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 P502 XHB. 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.