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R13 RTC

1997 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jun 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

164,607 mi
Last recorded164,607 miles
Recorded on1 Jul 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR13 RTC
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

19 pass 8 fail
Pass 1 Jul 2026 164,607 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all x4 (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

under trays fitted

Fail 20 Nov 2025 164,597 miles

Central Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Outer Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge on 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill rotten (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Jan 2024 158,264 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 29 Oct 2022 152,626 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Nov 2021 146,773 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

Fail 3 Nov 2021 146,773 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2020 146,204 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear , slight corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

Front Fuel Pipe/s corroded to rear slight corrosion

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view chipped (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 7 Nov 2019 144,374 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded front to rear slight corroded

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front headlamp has moisture in it

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 31 Oct 2018 143,234 miles

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both rear (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 6 Nov 2017 142,965 miles

Central Rear seat belt secondary attachment stalk outer plastic cover adrift

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

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

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

boot release inop from boot handle button

slight corrosion front to rear fuel pipes

Pass 26 Oct 2016 142,837 miles

oil leaks from underside

Fail 26 Oct 2016 142,837 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

oil leaks from underside

Pass 26 Oct 2015 142,128 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2014 141,533 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 8 Nov 2013 140,902 miles

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

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

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

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

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

near side rear door central locking not working (manualy working ok)

offside front spring not fully fitting on spring seat

Fail 23 Oct 2013 140,901 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

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

near side rear door central locking not working (manualy working ok)

offside front spring not fully fitting on spring seat

Pass 23 Oct 2012 139,391 miles

Air bag light illuminated

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Oct 2012 139,391 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)

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)

Air bag light illuminated

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Oct 2011 137,165 miles

Airbag light on

Fuel pipe/s corroded

N/S/F anti roll link, ball joint cover split

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

O/S/F anti roll link, ball joint cover split

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

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

Fail 18 Oct 2011 137,165 miles

Front registration plate background overprinted or shadowed with text (6.3.1e)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear registration plate background overprinted or shadowed with text (6.3.1e)

Airbag light on

Fuel pipe/s corroded

N/S/F anti roll link, ball joint cover split

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

O/S/F anti roll link, ball joint cover split

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

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

Pass 18 Oct 2010 135,187 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2009 132,849 miles

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

Pass 22 Oct 2008 129,101 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Nearside Front 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)

Oil leak

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

both o/s & n/s front roll bar drop link top boots split

Fail 21 Oct 2008 129,097 miles

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

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

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Oil leak

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

both o/s & n/s front roll bar drop link top boots split

Pass 22 Oct 2007 125,635 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2007 125,634 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Nov 2006 121,016 miles

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

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

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

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

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R13 RTC is a 1997 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R13 RTC, 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 R13 RTC?

You can check the full history of R13 RTC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R13 RTC registered?

R13 RTC is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R13 RTC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R13 RTC shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R13 RTC 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 R13 RTC. 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.