CarVerify

Free Car Check

P997 LSM

1997 BMW 520

Red Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Dec 2018
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

96,912 mi
Last recorded96,912 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 2017
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

RegistrationP997 LSM
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

13 pass 11 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2017 96,912 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded front to rear in places ()

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

front numbeer plate cracking and delaminating

nsf tyre inner outer treads cracking

osr nsr lower arm boots deteriating

osr tyre wearing on inner tread and lightly cracking

undertray fitted

Fail 14 Nov 2017 96,910 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded front to rear in places ()

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

front numbeer plate cracking and delaminating

nsf tyre inner outer treads cracking

osr nsr lower arm boots deteriating

osr tyre wearing on inner tread and lightly cracking

undertray fitted

Pass 15 Nov 2016 93,639 miles

Front both tyres perished slightly on shoulders 225/60/15

Front registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm outer dust cover (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint rear arm outer joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm outer dust cover (2.4.G.2)

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

engine covers,undertrays, under floor covers and plastic sill covers are fitted

Fail 15 Nov 2016 93,637 miles

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

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

Front both tyres perished slightly on shoulders 225/60/15

Front registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm outer dust cover (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint rear arm outer joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt rear arm outer dust cover (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin approx 80% worn (3.5.1g)

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

engine covers,undertrays, under floor covers and plastic sill covers are fitted

Pass 21 Nov 2015 90,067 miles

Front registration plate cracked

nearside front wheel bearing slight play/noisy on rotation

plastic sill/under covers fitted

rear brake hoses deteriorated

rear brake pads worn

rear upper suspension arm ball joints slight play

Fail 20 Nov 2015 90,067 miles

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

Front registration plate cracked

nearside front wheel bearing slight play/noisy on rotation

plastic sill/under covers fitted

rear brake hoses deteriorated

rear brake pads worn

rear upper suspension arm ball joints slight play

slight play offside inner rack joint

Pass 10 Dec 2014 86,220 miles

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front too rear brake pipes slightly corroded

nsf lower arm front bush slight play

Fail 10 Dec 2014 86,220 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front too rear brake pipes slightly corroded

nsf lower arm front bush slight play

Pass 13 Dec 2013 80,987 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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)

Nearside Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

both front tyres perished

engine coolant leak

sill trims fitted

Fail 12 Dec 2013 80,987 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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)

Nearside Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

both front tyres perished

engine coolant leak

sill trims fitted

Pass 12 Dec 2012 74,153 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 11 Dec 2012 74,151 miles

Nearside 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)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 14 Dec 2011 66,903 miles

Front No. plate in poor condition & slightly insecure

Front link arms-both sides-top dust cover split

Under trays fitted

Fail 13 Dec 2011 66,902 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Front No. plate in poor condition & slightly insecure

Front link arms-both sides-top dust cover split

Under trays fitted

Fail 14 Dec 2010 60,013 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 14 Dec 2010 60,013 miles
Pass 14 Dec 2009 52,098 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Dec 2008 44,662 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 11 Dec 2008 44,662 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 4 Jan 2008 37,973 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2008 37,973 miles

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

Pass 9 Jan 2007 34,560 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 11 Jan 2006 30,258 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

handbrake effort low

nail in tyre

Pass 11 Jan 2006 30,258 miles

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

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

handbrake effort low

nail in tyre

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

P997 LSM is a 1997 BMW 520 in Red with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

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 P997 LSM, 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 P997 LSM?

You can check the full history of P997 LSM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P997 LSM registered?

P997 LSM is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P997 LSM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P997 LSM shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P997 LSM 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 P997 LSM. 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.