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P823 OJW

1997 BMW 523

White Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Feb 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

280,018 mi
Last recorded280,018 miles
Recorded on7 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP823 OJW
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourWhite
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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 7 Feb 2026 280,018 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 5 Feb 2026 258,015 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Road wheel fixing missing All Four Wheel Stud Missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 14 Apr 2025 257,962 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All remaining steel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 19 Apr 2024 253,263 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all remaining steel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 17 Apr 2024 253,262 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front Prop shaft flexible coupling so deteriorated it is likely to fail (6.1.7 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all remaining steel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Mar 2023 247,739 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All remaining steel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement forward arm bush slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inside edge is wearing (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement forward arm bush has a lot of play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) large amount of play ()

Fail 27 Mar 2023 247,732 miles

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All remaining steel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement forward arm bush slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inside edge is wearing (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement forward arm bush has a lot of play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) large amount of play ()

Pass 27 Apr 2022 243,108 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Apr 2022 243,104 miles

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

Stop lamp(s) not working centre brake light (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Pass 27 Apr 2021 239,867 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2021 239,842 miles

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

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

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

Offside Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 18 Mar 2020 237,721 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2020 237,678 miles

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

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2019 232,896 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2018 226,792 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2017 222,032 miles

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

Pass 14 Apr 2016 217,204 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2015 210,815 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2014 203,034 miles

Nearside Fuel pipe slightly damaged (7.2.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 23 Feb 2013 194,200 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2012 184,714 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Mar 2011 176,538 miles

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

Pass 8 Mar 2010 166,806 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2009 156,545 miles
Fail 28 Feb 2009 156,540 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Mar 2008 147,774 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2007 137,210 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2006 122,810 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

advise full brake check. advise oil leak from engine.

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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P823 OJW is a 1997 BMW 523 in White with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P823 OJW, 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 P823 OJW?

You can check the full history of P823 OJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P823 OJW registered?

P823 OJW is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P823 OJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for P823 OJW shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P823 OJW 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 P823 OJW. 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.