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R189 BEW

1997 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Jul 2017
Tests16 (10 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

184,580 mi
Last recorded184,580 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2017
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR189 BEW
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

10 pass 6 fail
Fail 8 Aug 2017 184,580 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)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

engine oil level low

Pass 16 Jul 2016 179,178 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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)

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

Fail 15 Jul 2016 179,170 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)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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)

Pass 16 Jan 2015 174,024 miles

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

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

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

Fail 15 Jan 2015 174,021 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Pass 30 Aug 2013 167,881 miles

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

Nearside Fuel pipe slightly damaged (7.2.2)

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

Fail 16 Aug 2013 167,881 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Nearside Fuel pipe slightly damaged (7.2.2)

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

Fail 25 Jun 2013 166,358 miles

Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

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

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 high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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)

Offside Front Seat belt has a cut which has significantly weakened the webbing (5.2.2a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 22 Nov 2011 155,471 miles

Due to the condition of the offside front seat belt webbing replacement recomended

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

advise offside & nearside rear tyres worn to approximately 2.5mm in tread area

Fail 22 Nov 2011 155,471 miles

Centre Rear Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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)

Due to the condition of the offside front seat belt webbing replacement recomended

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

advise offside & nearside rear tyres worn to approximately 2.5mm in tread area

Pass 10 Nov 2010 149,215 miles

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2009 141,946 miles

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

Offside Front coil spring worn (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 20 Nov 2008 136,530 miles

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

Pass 20 Nov 2007 130,164 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2006 122,474 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2005 116,169 miles

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

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

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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.

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R189 BEW is a 1997 BMW 520 in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 R189 BEW, 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 R189 BEW?

You can check the full history of R189 BEW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R189 BEW registered?

R189 BEW is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R189 BEW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R189 BEW shows 16 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R189 BEW 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 R189 BEW. 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.