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P5 BLM

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Oct 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

117,543 mi
Last recorded117,543 miles
Recorded on21 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP5 BLM
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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 21 Oct 2025 117,543 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2024 116,172 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged Inner (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged Outter (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Wheel Arches Both Sides (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 22 Jul 2023 112,752 miles

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear lines (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Both nearside and offside arches corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2022 109,342 miles

Nearside Rear Arch corrosion (non structural)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded Both nearside and offside (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Jul 2021 105,601 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear arm outer ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 17 Jul 2021 105,546 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Electrical wiring likely to drag on the ground (4.11 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jul 2020 101,151 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at flexible hose joint (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive and inner sills and seams around jacking points , distorted (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at rear next to flexible brake hose joint (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive and inner sill seam around jacking point , distorted (5.3.6 (a) (i))

advised by customer that new instrument pod fitted , lower mileage

sill covers fitted

Fail 22 Jun 2020 162,305 miles

Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn back , outer control arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded at flexible pipe joint (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill , seam and inner (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner , seam sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

sill covers fitted

Pass 23 Feb 2018 157,321 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush rear bush (2.4.G.2)

OS front brake slightly slow to apply

Fail 23 Feb 2018 157,321 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush rear bush (2.4.G.2)

OS front brake slightly slow to apply

Pass 18 Nov 2016 153,105 miles

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

sill covers fitted

Fail 17 Nov 2016 153,095 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

sill covers fitted

Pass 12 Nov 2015 141,461 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

evidence of filler on n/s/r outer sill

front brake application imbalance 24%

sill covers fitted

Fail 12 Nov 2015 141,451 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Seat belt flexible stalk damaged but not likely to lead to failure under load (5.2.4a)

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

evidence of filler on n/s/r outer sill

sill covers fitted

Pass 1 Sep 2014 142,668 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 26 Aug 2014 142,661 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is fractured (5.2.6)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

nearside front sill distorted

Fail 19 Aug 2014 142,651 miles

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

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

exhaust downpipe has a stud sheared and a nut missing

front to rear fuel pipes corroding

low fuel light on

nearside rear flexible brake hose slightly twisted

nearside rear sill corroding

Pass 22 Feb 2011 136,855 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

OSR disc slightly pitted.

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 13 Jul 2010 132,200 miles

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

Pass 26 Mar 2009 117,769 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2009 117,769 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 May 2008 113,161 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 Apr 2007 103,019 miles

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

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 25 Apr 2007 103,067 miles

Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 28 Apr 2006 95,103 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

offside rear tyre has a cut in the outer sidewall

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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P5 BLM is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

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 P5 BLM, 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 P5 BLM?

You can check the full history of P5 BLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P5 BLM registered?

P5 BLM is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is P5 BLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P5 BLM shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P5 BLM 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 P5 BLM. 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.