CarVerify

Free Car Check

P850 CFV

1997 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Apr 2022
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

114,259 mi
Last recorded114,259 miles
Recorded on23 Mar 2022
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

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

RegistrationP850 CFV
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

16 pass 12 fail
Fail 23 Mar 2022 114,259 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded FRONT TO REAR AT FUEL TANK (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded FRONT TO REAR AT FUEL TANK (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength SILL (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 7 Apr 2021 113,730 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Fail 30 Mar 2021 113,724 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2020 112,610 miles

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced mounting jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play tie rod joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Both nearside rear upper inner ball joint dust covers deteriorating (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 23 Mar 2020 112,610 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed inner edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced mounting jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play tie rod joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Both nearside rear upper inner ball joint dust covers deteriorating (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Mar 2019 110,090 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Mar 2019 110,089 miles

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

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Pass 29 Mar 2018 106,447 miles

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

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

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

Fail 20 Mar 2018 106,446 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Apr 2017 102,915 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Fail 6 Apr 2017 102,915 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 13 Apr 2016 99,465 miles

Centre Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded x2 (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit on 2mm slight cracking to outer wall (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 2,000 to 3,000 (3.5.1g)

Pass 13 Apr 2015 96,962 miles

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

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

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

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front headlamp lense deteriorating

offside rear tyre perishing

Pass 9 Apr 2014 93,704 miles

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

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside rear park brake producing a lower effort than offside ,advise check

offside rear tyre perishing

Fail 7 Apr 2014 93,694 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside rear park brake producing a lower effort than offside ,advise check

offside rear tyre perishing

Pass 22 Apr 2013 90,991 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2013 90,921 miles

Nearside Outer Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Outer Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 13 Apr 2012 89,052 miles

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Fail 5 Apr 2012 89,037 miles

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

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

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

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

Tow ball/hitch not fitted at time of test

Pass 19 Apr 2011 84,887 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2010 80,255 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 3 Apr 2009 76,234 miles
Fail 3 Apr 2009 76,234 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 2 Apr 2008 73,261 miles
Fail 2 Apr 2008 73,261 miles

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 11 Apr 2007 68,807 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2006 66,432 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2006 66,432 miles

Offside Rear coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

handbrake effort on n/s/r was low just passed, may req new handbrake shoes in near future.

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

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

P850 CFV is a 1997 BMW 520 in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 P850 CFV, 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 P850 CFV?

You can check the full history of P850 CFV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P850 CFV registered?

P850 CFV is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 14 April 1997.

Is P850 CFV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P850 CFV 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 P850 CFV 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 P850 CFV. 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.