CarVerify

Free Car Check

R124 WBY

1998 BMW 523

Grey Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Oct 2016
Tests15 (9 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

189,367 mi
Last recorded189,367 miles
Recorded on3 Oct 2015
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 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

RegistrationR124 WBY
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
ColourGrey
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

9 pass 6 fail
Pass 3 Oct 2015 189,367 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 2 Oct 2015 189,367 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 15 Aug 2014 184,143 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Aug 2014 184,143 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2013 183,419 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

brake pad warning light on

Fail 17 Aug 2013 183,419 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

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 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)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

brake pad warning light on

Pass 21 Jul 2012 180,719 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

airbag light on

brake pad warning light on

Fail 20 Jul 2012 180,719 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 carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Offside Front Lower Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

airbag light on

brake pad warning light on

Pass 24 Aug 2011 176,419 miles

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

Fail 19 Aug 2011 176,400 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Pass 4 Aug 2010 169,603 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Aug 2010 169,603 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Offside Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2008 156,067 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Aug 2007 149,683 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2006 140,646 miles

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

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

R124 WBY is a 1998 BMW 523 in Grey with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1998 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 117,395 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 R124 WBY, 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 28 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 R124 WBY?

You can check the full history of R124 WBY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R124 WBY registered?

R124 WBY is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 1 January 1998.

Is R124 WBY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R124 WBY shows 15 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R124 WBY 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 R124 WBY. 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.