CarVerify

Free Car Check

R201 RLJ

1998 BMW 528

Silver Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Mar 2027
Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

151,350 mi
Last recorded151,350 miles
Recorded on25 Mar 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 528118,565 mi

Above 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 RLJ
MakeBMW
Model528
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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

20 pass 14 fail
Pass 25 Mar 2026 151,350 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear 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))

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

offside and nearside rear sills corroded

Fail 12 Mar 2026 151,350 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear 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))

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

offside and nearside rear sills corroded

Pass 18 Dec 2024 151,230 miles

Both sills corroded

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear 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))

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

Fail 28 Nov 2024 151,229 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

offside and nearside rear inner sills corroded

Pass 4 Sep 2023 150,426 miles

Nearside Park brake poor

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

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

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

Fail 30 Aug 2023 150,422 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Offside Front Anti-lock braking system wiring excessively damaged (1.6 (d))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Park brake poor

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

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2022 146,920 miles

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

Fail 17 Aug 2022 146,918 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill . (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive General engine oil leak. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Aug 2021 140,719 miles

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

Fail 12 Aug 2021 140,717 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Sep 2020 138,528 miles

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 1 Sep 2020 138,528 miles

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 May 2019 136,892 miles

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

Pass 5 Jun 2018 134,727 miles

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

Fail 5 Jun 2018 134,719 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 16 Jun 2017 132,534 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2017 132,534 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 22 Jun 2016 127,889 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage Pipe on pump (2.3.3b)

Undertrays fitted obscuring some components

Fail 20 Jun 2016 127,884 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage Pipe on pump (2.3.3b)

Undertrays fitted obscuring some components

Pass 21 May 2015 120,808 miles

both front tyres worn on both edges and both rear tyres worn on inner edges

Fail 20 May 2015 120,805 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

both front tyres worn on both edges and both rear tyres worn on inner edges

Pass 24 Apr 2014 112,327 miles

front tyres worn on edges

offside steering rack gaiter damp

power steering pipes damp

Fail 15 Apr 2014 112,207 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

front tyres worn on edges

offside steering rack gaiter damp

power steering pipes damp

rear brake discs lipped

rear brakes noisy

Pass 5 Apr 2013 102,772 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 5 Apr 2013 102,772 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Apr 2012 94,437 miles

no oil showing on engine dipstick, so 2 ltrs added so test could proceed

Fail 2 Apr 2012 94,437 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)

no oil showing on engine dipstick, so 2 ltrs added so test could proceed

Pass 13 Apr 2011 86,218 miles

offside front anti roll bar link rod ball joint boot broken

Pass 13 Apr 2010 76,698 miles

Nearside 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)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

offside front anti roll bar link rod ball joint boot broken

Pass 1 Apr 2009 65,911 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2008 57,530 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

front number plate slightly cracked

rear number plate starting to deteriorate

Pass 31 Mar 2007 47,706 miles
Fail 29 Mar 2007 47,689 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect (3.4.1d)

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

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

Pass 29 Mar 2006 37,863 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 528?

Based on 168,696 MOT tests across 14,467 vehicles.

70.0%
Pass Rate
5,637
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
14,467
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 11,782
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 9,791
parking brake recording little or no effort 6,746
Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,749
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 5,592
Full BMW 528 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 RLJ is a 1998 BMW 528 in Silver with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

Across all 1998 BMW 528 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.9% with a typical mileage of 118,565 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 528 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 11,782 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R201 RLJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 528 typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 528 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R201 RLJ?

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

What year was R201 RLJ registered?

R201 RLJ is a 1998 BMW 528, first registered on 1 April 1998.

Is R201 RLJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R201 RLJ shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R201 RLJ 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 RLJ. 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.