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P537 VFU

1997 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Oct 2018
Tests24 (12 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

237,371 mi
Last recorded237,371 miles
Recorded on13 Oct 2017
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP537 VFU
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

12 pass 12 fail
Pass 13 Oct 2017 237,371 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 26 Sep 2017 237,370 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.4.G.4e)

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2016 226,246 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 8 Sep 2016 226,246 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

front tyres wearing inner edges slightly

sill covers fitted

Pass 11 Sep 2015 218,966 miles

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

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

o/s/ headlamp pattern slightly diffused

Fail 9 Sep 2015 218,958 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

o/s/ headlamp pattern slightly diffused

Pass 28 Aug 2014 210,246 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Fail 28 Aug 2014 210,233 miles

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

Nearside 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 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)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2013 202,973 miles

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

both front tyres worn on inner edges

Fail 5 Sep 2013 202,967 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

both front tyres worn on inner edges

Pass 28 Jul 2012 194,764 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)

Fail 21 Jul 2012 194,598 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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 Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 4 Aug 2011 186,048 miles

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

O/S Headlamp beam image poor

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

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

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

Slight play in steering

Fail 29 Jul 2011 185,841 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)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Towbar locking device missing (6.6.3b)

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

O/S Headlamp beam image poor

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

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

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

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

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

Slight play in steering

Pass 19 Aug 2010 181,919 miles

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

nsf tyre worn low

osf tyre worn very low on inner edge

rear tyres worn very low on inner edges

Fail 19 Aug 2010 181,917 miles

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

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

nsf tyre worn low

osf tyre worn very low on inner edge

rear tyres worn very low on inner edges

Pass 11 Mar 2009 174,569 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2009 174,569 miles

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

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

exhaust/cat emissions were high(took while to get through)

n/s/rear upper brake pipe corroded

Pass 11 Apr 2008 168,444 miles

slight exhaust blow from manifold area

Fail 10 Apr 2008 168,444 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Steering rack damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Rear registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

nearside rear inner sidelight inoperative

slight exhaust blow from manifold area

slight play in nearside steering rack end

Pass 21 Feb 2007 152,113 miles

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

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

slight play in both steering rack ends

Fail 20 Feb 2007 152,113 miles

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

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

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

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

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

slight play in both steering rack ends

Pass 2 Mar 2006 133,846 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2006 133,846 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right (1.6.B4)

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

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

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

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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P537 VFU is a 1997 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 P537 VFU, 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 P537 VFU?

You can check the full history of P537 VFU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P537 VFU registered?

P537 VFU is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 12 May 1997.

Is P537 VFU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P537 VFU shows 24 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 P537 VFU 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 P537 VFU. 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.