CarVerify

Free Car Check

P881 MMJ

1996 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 Oct 2016
Tests18 (10 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

173,144 mi
Last recorded173,144 miles
Recorded on27 Oct 2016
Typical for 1996 BMW 523123,198 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP881 MMJ
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1996
ColourBlue
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

10 pass 8 fail
Fail 27 Oct 2016 173,144 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced headlamps (1.7.5a)

Nearside Body has slight corrosion sills (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 27 Oct 2015 159,316 miles

Head lamp's poor.

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

Fail 26 Oct 2015 159,316 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)

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.2.6)

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

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

head lamp's poor,

Fail 22 Oct 2015 159,315 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)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.2.6)

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

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

head lamp's poor,

Pass 16 Oct 2014 144,346 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2014 144,181 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

N/S/R wheen slightly binding

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 18 Oct 2013 141,184 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 10 Oct 2013 141,056 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Aug 2012 133,146 miles

slight bind on nearside rear brake

Pass 15 Aug 2011 126,612 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Slight movement in Nearside rear suspension / unable to locate problem

Fail 11 Aug 2011 126,597 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

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 has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Slight movement in Nearside rear suspension / unable to locate problem

Pass 6 Aug 2010 120,897 miles
Fail 31 Jul 2010 120,815 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 28 Jul 2009 114,441 miles
Fail 23 Jul 2009 114,441 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Aug 2008 109,240 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

advise child seats fitted in rear poor visibility advise hand brake low nsr has passed

Pass 18 Aug 2007 104,805 miles

advise h/brake effort low needs attenstion but passed test

Pass 31 Aug 2006 102,343 miles

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

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

P881 MMJ is a 1996 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1996 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.0% with a typical mileage of 123,198 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 P881 MMJ, 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 30 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 P881 MMJ?

You can check the full history of P881 MMJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P881 MMJ registered?

P881 MMJ is a 1996 BMW 523, first registered on 17 September 1996.

Is P881 MMJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for P881 MMJ shows 18 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P881 MMJ 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 P881 MMJ. 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.