CarVerify

Free Car Check

R201 OMF

1997 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires5 Aug 2020
Tests25 (13 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate52%

Mileage

103,517 mi
Last recorded103,517 miles
Recorded on6 Aug 2019
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR201 OMF
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

13 pass 12 fail
Pass 6 Aug 2019 103,517 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm, inner edge wearing (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 30 Jul 2019 103,493 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle missing not accessible (7.1.2 (d))

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm, inner edge wearing (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Pass 1 Aug 2018 98,355 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement slight movement, borderline (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear tyre slightly perishing on sidewall

Fail 30 Jul 2018 98,351 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rearmost (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement slight movement, borderline (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear tyre slightly perishing on sidewall

Pass 26 Jul 2017 93,797 miles

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

Fail 13 Jul 2017 93,793 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 3 Aug 2016 90,546 miles

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

Fail 3 Aug 2016 90,546 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 25 Jun 2014 87,184 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

metal fuel pipes corrded

o/s/f tyre wearing on inner edge

Fail 25 Jun 2014 87,184 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

metal fuel pipes corrded

o/s/f tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 18 Jun 2013 83,923 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2013 83,923 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 Rear Lower coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

Fail 6 Jun 2013 83,871 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Oil leak

Pass 26 May 2012 79,674 miles
Fail 26 May 2012 79,674 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 6 Jul 2011 77,472 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2011 77,472 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Jun 2010 73,066 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2009 69,601 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2009 69,597 miles

Nearside Rear Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

CAT RATTLES POSS BREAKING UP

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2008 65,584 miles
Fail 24 Jun 2008 65,580 miles

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

Pass 25 Apr 2007 61,397 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2006 57,044 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 20 Apr 2006 57,044 miles

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

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

R201 OMF is a 1997 BMW 520 in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52%.

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 R201 OMF, 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 R201 OMF?

You can check the full history of R201 OMF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R201 OMF registered?

R201 OMF is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 14 August 1997.

Is R201 OMF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R201 OMF shows 25 tests with a 52% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R201 OMF 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 R201 OMF. 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.