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P84 RCV

1997 BMW 520

Red Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Oct 2026
Tests38 (21 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate55.3%

Mileage

191,318 mi
Last recorded191,318 miles
Recorded on27 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP84 RCV
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourRed
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

21 pass 17 fail
Pass 27 Oct 2025 191,318 miles

Both sides sill covers fitted

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

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. Both sides (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. Both Sides (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Undertray fitted

Pass 6 Dec 2024 186,672 miles

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

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 5 Dec 2024 186,672 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill area. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 22 Nov 2023 181,129 miles

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin Both sides. (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill area. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Fail 20 Nov 2023 181,129 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill area. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Boot floor area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin Both sides. (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front bush. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill area. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Pass 1 Dec 2022 176,657 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front bush. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Boot floor area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Nov 2022 176,656 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Front bush. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Plastic covers fitted to outer sills.

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Boot floor area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Dec 2021 171,094 miles

Both outer sills have plastic covers fitted,covering prescribed areas.

Both rear inner sills and O/S front outer sill corroded.

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Boot floor. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Nov 2021 170,989 miles

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

Both outer sills have plastic covers fitted,covering prescribed areas.

Both rear inner sills and O/S front outer sill corroded.

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Boot floor. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Dec 2020 164,661 miles

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rust N/S rear sill and O/S front.Plastic covers fitted to outer sills covering prescribed areas.

Fail 1 Dec 2020 164,661 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Rust N/S rear sill and O/S front.Plastic covers fitted to outer sills covering prescribed areas.

Pass 19 Nov 2019 159,061 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

O/S front outer sill corroded.

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 28 Nov 2018 153,287 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake efficiency low

Offside Front Outer sill corroded

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

Fail 20 Nov 2018 153,226 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake efficiency low

Offside Front Outer sill corroded

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2017 147,019 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 29 Nov 2017 146,936 miles

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

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

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

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 29 Nov 2016 140,384 miles

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 13 Sep 2016 139,330 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Inner to lower sill join (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Obligatory mirror deteriorated, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Obligatory mirror deteriorated, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner to lower sill (2.4.A.3)

Pass 14 Sep 2015 132,623 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Sep 2015 132,623 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low Adjuster broken (1.8)

Nearside 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)

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

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

Pass 6 Sep 2014 125,396 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

nearside handbrake very noisy in operation

Fail 5 Sep 2014 125,395 miles

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

Offside Outer Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

nearside handbrake very noisy in operation

Pass 5 Sep 2013 118,532 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2012 111,903 miles

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

Fail 3 Sep 2012 111,902 miles

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

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)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

catalytic converter rattles indicating core failure

Pass 7 Sep 2011 104,971 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2011 104,907 miles

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

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

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

both front brake discs worn

Pass 2 Sep 2010 98,231 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2010 98,123 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 7 Sep 2009 91,089 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

as no work has been carried out on the brake s the advisory regarding handbrake efficiency must be regarded as the same as on VT30 301570259446

Fail 7 Sep 2009 91,089 miles

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

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 25 Aug 2009 90,828 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)

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2008 83,165 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2007 75,945 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2007 75,935 miles

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

Pass 8 Feb 2007 72,726 miles
Fail 8 Feb 2007 72,726 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Feb 2006 64,568 miles

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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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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P84 RCV is a 1997 BMW 520 in Red with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 38 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.3%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 P84 RCV, 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 P84 RCV?

You can check the full history of P84 RCV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P84 RCV registered?

P84 RCV is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 21 March 1997.

Is P84 RCV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P84 RCV shows 38 tests with a 55.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P84 RCV 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 P84 RCV. 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.