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R141 SBD

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Jan 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

122,230 mi
Last recorded122,230 miles
Recorded on25 Jan 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR141 SBD
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 25 Jan 2025 122,230 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 16 Jan 2025 122,228 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 23 Nov 2023 121,622 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill jacking point area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill jacking point area, (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 3 Nov 2023 121,619 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill jacking point and sub frame mounting area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking point and subframe mounting area. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 27 Oct 2022 121,465 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 25 Oct 2022 121,462 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively wiper arm loose not sweeping across. (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 11 Oct 2021 119,819 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

fuel tank tank straps getting corroded recomend replace.

Fail 6 Oct 2021 119,817 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

fuel tank tank straps getting corroded recomend replace.

Pass 28 Sep 2020 118,337 miles

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Fail 21 Sep 2020 118,337 miles

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Tyre(s) of different sizes are fitted on the same axle. (5.2.3 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (3.3 (b) (ii))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 25 Sep 2019 116,176 miles

Nearside Front Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 27 Sep 2018 113,429 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2017 11,759 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2017 111,750 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Pass 30 Aug 2016 108,612 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2016 108,611 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/45/17 (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 235/45/17 (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 21 Sep 2015 104,271 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2014 97,466 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2013 93,937 miles

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)

Pass 16 Mar 2011 93,329 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 12 Mar 2010 90,523 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2009 86,085 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2008 82,064 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2008 82,059 miles

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

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

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

Pass 7 Mar 2007 77,087 miles

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

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

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

Fail 7 Mar 2007 77,087 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 3 Mar 2006 73,205 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2006 73,163 miles

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

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

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

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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R141 SBD is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 R141 SBD, 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 R141 SBD?

You can check the full history of R141 SBD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R141 SBD registered?

R141 SBD is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 8 August 1997.

Is R141 SBD safe to buy?

The MOT history for R141 SBD shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R141 SBD 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 R141 SBD. 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.