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P59 RFA

1997 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires20 Dec 2020
Tests16 (12 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

170,932 mi
Last recorded170,932 miles
Recorded on21 Jun 2019
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP59 RFA
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

12 pass 4 fail
Pass 21 Jun 2019 170,932 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 20 Jun 2019 170,932 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 17 May 2018 166,426 miles

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

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

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

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

hand brake just passed need further attenstion

n/s o/s rear sill corroded

Pass 5 Jun 2017 161,432 miles

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

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

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

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

o/s rear sill corroded

Pass 12 May 2016 155,755 miles

engine cover fitted and under tray fitted

n/s rear sill corroded

Pass 14 May 2015 148,203 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

o/s rear inner sill slight corroded

Pass 2 Jun 2014 144,459 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 10 Jun 2013 138,618 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

n/s o/s rear tyre start to crack

Pass 1 Jun 2012 136,931 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Pass 14 Sep 2010 127,469 miles

1,Offside front(RACK-TO-TRACK ROD BALL JOINT (INNER))has slight play.

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

Fail 13 Sep 2010 127,463 miles

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

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

1,Offside front(RACK-TO-TRACK ROD BALL JOINT (INNER))has slight play.

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

Pass 18 Sep 2009 120,981 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2009 120,963 miles

Nearside Front Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

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

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)

Pass 15 Sep 2008 115,763 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2008 115,651 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (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)

Pass 5 Feb 2007 106,716 miles

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

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

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

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P59 RFA is a 1997 BMW 520 in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P59 RFA, 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 P59 RFA?

You can check the full history of P59 RFA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P59 RFA registered?

P59 RFA is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 3 January 1997.

Is P59 RFA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P59 RFA shows 16 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P59 RFA 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 P59 RFA. 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.