CarVerify

Free Car Check

P948 PLN

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Mar 2018
Tests18 (11 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate61.1%

Mileage

148,396 mi
Last recorded148,396 miles
Recorded on27 Feb 2018
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Above 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

RegistrationP948 PLN
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

11 pass 7 fail
Fail 27 Feb 2018 148,396 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear along side of fuel tank (3.6.B.2c)

Central Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

Offside Direction indicator not working side repeater (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front tyre worn heavily on inner side wall close to excessive

both headlamp images poor

oil leak

Pass 28 Feb 2017 143,567 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Feb 2017 143,378 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at join (7.1.2)

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

Pass 4 Mar 2016 136,137 miles

Fuel pipes corroded

Slight play in both inner steering rack joints

front to rear brake pipes corroded

Fail 29 Feb 2016 136,133 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Fuel pipes corroded

Slight play in both inner steering rack joints

front to rear brake pipes corroded

Pass 6 Nov 2014 129,414 miles

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

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

nearside front tyre valve detiorating

offside front tyre worn inner edge

Fail 3 Nov 2014 129,414 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

nearside front tyre valve detiorating

offside front tyre worn inner edge

Pass 8 Nov 2013 124,557 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

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

Fail 29 Oct 2013 124,478 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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 Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 27 Nov 2012 118,029 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside front fog light damaged

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 20 Nov 2012 118,026 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside front fog light damaged

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 23 Nov 2011 103,953 miles

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Fail 15 Nov 2011 103,449 miles

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

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 11 Nov 2010 100,166 miles

airbag light on

nearside wiper blade is split on ends but is clearing

Pass 24 Nov 2009 95,445 miles
Pass 20 Nov 2008 88,841 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Nov 2007 83,899 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2006 76,008 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

P948 PLN is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.1%.

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 P948 PLN, 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 P948 PLN?

You can check the full history of P948 PLN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P948 PLN registered?

P948 PLN is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 27 January 1997.

Is P948 PLN safe to buy?

The MOT history for P948 PLN shows 18 tests with a 61.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P948 PLN 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 P948 PLN. 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.