CarVerify

Free Car Check

P53 BCX

1997 BMW 735

Blue Petrol 3498cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Mar 2022
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

168,265 mi
Last recorded168,265 miles
Recorded on4 Mar 2021
Typical for 1997 BMW 735117,541 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

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

RegistrationP53 BCX
MakeBMW
Model735
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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

16 pass 12 fail
Pass 4 Mar 2021 168,265 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Jan 2020 167,568 miles

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

fuel tank damaged

Fail 8 Jan 2020 167,567 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

fuel tank damaged

Fail 28 Nov 2019 167,559 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play n/s front (2.1.3 (b) (i))

fuel pipes coroding

rear brake discs rusty

Pass 21 Dec 2018

Both sides rear lower suspension arms, inner bushes are deteriorated, with failed bonding on front bushes. No excessive movement detected during this inspection.

Both sides rear lower suspension arms, where fitted to rear knuckles, bush gaiters are split, allowing the ingress of foreign material. No movement detected during this inspection.

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Post Cats. (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions only just meet requirements.

Exhaust mounting defective Both sides, front of rear silencers. (6.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside rear coil spring fouling on turret, chafe marks visible on spring.

Oil leak, but not excessive Rear differential. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efforts only just meet requirements.

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Reservoir, hoses, pipes, and pump are coated in oil. Unable to determine source, and it is not currently leaking from any visible part of the PAS system. (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 14 Dec 2018

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn Front straight arm. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn Short front straight arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn Front straight arm. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Both sides rear lower suspension arms, inner bushes are deteriorated, with failed bonding on front bushes. No excessive movement detected during this inspection.

Both sides rear lower suspension arms, where fitted to rear knuckles, bush gaiters are split, allowing the ingress of foreign material. No movement detected during this inspection.

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Post Cats. (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions only just meet requirements.

Exhaust mounting defective Both sides, front of rear silencers. (6.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Dated 1999 (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside rear coil spring fouling on turret, chafe marks visible on spring.

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Dated 1998 (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive Rear differential. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efforts only just meet requirements.

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Reservoir, hoses, pipes, and pump are coated in oil. Unable to determine source, and it is not currently leaking from any visible part of the PAS system. (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2017 143,115 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

general underbody and suspension corrosion

Fail 9 Dec 2017 143,115 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

general underbody and suspension corrosion

Pass 22 Dec 2016 130,008 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre pipe joints (7.1.2)

general suspension corrosion

Fail 16 Dec 2016 129,745 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner and outer sills (5.2.6)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner and outer sills (5.2.6)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre pipe joints (7.1.2)

general suspension corrosion

Pass 9 Dec 2015 115,155 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2014 111,729 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 9 Dec 2014 111,729 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 19 Dec 2013 107,046 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 19 Dec 2013 107,046 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 14 Dec 2012 101,586 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 12 Dec 2012 101,586 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 20 Dec 2011 97,169 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 19 Dec 2011 97,167 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

front discs pitted

Pass 20 Dec 2010 92,107 miles

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 17 Dec 2009 86,892 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 12 Dec 2008 82,039 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2008 82,039 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 20 Dec 2007 78,355 miles

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

Nearside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Fail 20 Dec 2007 78,355 miles

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Pass 14 Dec 2006 72,439 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)

Fail 21 Dec 2005 66,372 miles

Indicator tell tale inoperative (1.4.A.2a)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 21 Dec 2005 66,372 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 735?

Based on 51,279 MOT tests across 5,701 vehicles.

73.1%
Pass Rate
4,383
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
5,701
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,292
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 1,707
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,582
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,324
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,237
Full BMW 735 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

P53 BCX is a 1997 BMW 735 in Blue with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

Across all 1997 BMW 735 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.2% with a typical mileage of 117,541 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 735 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 2,292 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P53 BCX, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 735 typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 735 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P53 BCX?

You can check the full history of P53 BCX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P53 BCX registered?

P53 BCX is a 1997 BMW 735, first registered on 6 January 1997.

Is P53 BCX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P53 BCX shows 28 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 P53 BCX 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 P53 BCX. 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.