CarVerify

Free Car Check

R199 VRX

1998 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Jun 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

208,030 mi
Last recorded208,030 miles
Recorded on16 Jun 2025
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

RegistrationR199 VRX
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
ColourBlue
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 12 fail
Pass 16 Jun 2025 208,030 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jun 2025 207,856 miles

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

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 21 May 2024 198,469 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play BORDERLINE (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security inner sill panel (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security inner sill panel (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 8 Jun 2023 188,533 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective ADVANCED (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

corrosion evident to nearside and offside sill panels, sill covers fitted

Fail 2 Jun 2023 188,521 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective ADVANCED (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play BORDERLINE (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

corrosion evident to nearside and offside sill panels, sill covers fitted

Pass 1 Nov 2021 184,181 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Outer Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Outer Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

vehicle fitted with under body covers preventing full inspection

vehicle fitted with under bonnet covers preventing full inspection

Fail 22 Mar 2021 184,152 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear 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))

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

Pass 2 Apr 2020 182,692 miles

Both front tyres slight stepping on edges

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Mid section joint (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

N/S headlamp aim fairly poor

N/S headlamp has moisture inside

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

O/S/R sill corroded

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Apr 2020 182,692 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Both front tyres slight stepping on edges

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Mid section joint (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

O/S/R sill corroded

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Mar 2020 182,664 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases middle section (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front jacking pad missing

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2019 175,852 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Foremost bushing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Mar 2019 175,850 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Foremost bushing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Feb 2018 167,857 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded above rear diff (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak ()

Pass 3 Feb 2017 158,699 miles

Brake pipes and Fuel Lines have been undersealed

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

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

Pass 18 Feb 2016 150,102 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2016 150,102 miles

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

Fail 16 Feb 2016 150,087 miles

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

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)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm 225/55/16 95v (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

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

Fail 23 Feb 2015 141,794 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 23 Feb 2015 141,794 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2014 132,152 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 18 Feb 2014 132,152 miles

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Torque/reaction arm has a slightly deteriorated rubber bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 28 Feb 2013 130,015 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Trailing arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 27 Feb 2012 129,263 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 discs corroded

Fail 25 Feb 2012 129,261 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Bonnet retaining device ineffective (8.4.2) DANGEROUS

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

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

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 discs corroded

rear tyre treads worn unevenly

Pass 25 Feb 2011 126,921 miles
Pass 10 Feb 2010 124,604 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2009 113,051 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2008 103,051 miles

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

Park brake on minium performance

Pass 20 Feb 2008 103,051 miles

Park brake on minium performance

Pass 22 Feb 2007 93,378 miles

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

Pass 10 Mar 2006 83,698 miles

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

R199 VRX is a 1998 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 R199 VRX, 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 R199 VRX?

You can check the full history of R199 VRX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R199 VRX registered?

R199 VRX is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 25 March 1998.

Is R199 VRX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R199 VRX shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R199 VRX 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 R199 VRX. 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.