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R218 EBU

1998 BMW 5 Series

Silver Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests34 (21 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate61.8%

Mileage

88,377 mi
Last recorded88,377 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 5 Series122,000 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR218 EBU
MakeBMW
Model5 Series
Year1998
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

21 pass 13 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 88,377 miles

Lower Vehicle has under trays obscuring some inspections,advise

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded and nsr,advise (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower jacking point mount missing,advise

Offside Front tyre outer edge wearing,advise

Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high vis,advise (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Fail 30 Mar 2026 88,276 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Position lamp not working side light (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Lower Vehicle has under trays obscuring some inspections,advise

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded and nsr,advise (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower jacking point mount missing,advise

Offside Front tyre outer edge wearing,advise

Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high vis,advise (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 29 Mar 2025 85,946 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material N/s/f, O/s/f, O/s/r, N/s/r brake pipe's corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Head lamp lens misting. (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Lower rear suspension arm ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced N/s/r inner sill corroded at jacking point. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded N/s/r and O/s/r. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 28 Mar 2025 85,946 miles

Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect N/s/f and O/s/f. (5.3.2 (d))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material N/s/f, O/s/f, O/s/r, N/s/r brake pipe's corroded. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Head lamp lens misting. (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Lower rear suspension arm ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced N/s/r inner sill corroded at jacking point. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded N/s/r and O/s/r. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 25 Mar 2024 83,564 miles

Coil spring corroded N/s/f, N/s/r, O/s/r. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) N/s/f and O/s/f. ()

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective N/s/f head light lens has slight water ingress. (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 22 Mar 2023 81,256 miles

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Lower undertray fitted

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both sides ()

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective misting,advise (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated outer ball joint,advise (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Mar 2023 81,254 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Lower undertray fitted

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both sides ()

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Mar 2022 79,242 miles

Coil spring corroded nsf,osr,nsr,advise (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) osf and nsf,advise ()

Lower vehicle has under trays obscuring some inspections,advise

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement track control arm rear inner bush play,advise (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front jacking point mount missing,advise

Fail 22 Mar 2022 79,227 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn track control arm rear outer bush excessive play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Coil spring corroded nsf,osr,nsr,advise (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) osf and nsf,advise ()

Lower vehicle has under trays obscuring some inspections,advise

Nearside Front Nail in tyre advise ()

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement track control arm rear inner bush play,advise (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective advise (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front jacking point mount missing,advise

Pass 13 Mar 2021 77,269 miles

Front Lower Under-Tray fitted not able to inspect some components

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread plate cracked,advise (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both sides (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Fuel tank straps corroded

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Suspension arm bush/dust cover deteriorated but no play in bushes - Both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Mar 2021 77,268 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Headlamp deteriorated causing light intensity to be reduced and incorrect image (4.1.2 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner sills - Both sides (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Slightly corroded - OSF,OSR,NSR (1.1.11 (c))

Front Lower Under-Tray fitted not able to inspect some components

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

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

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn Both sides (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Rear Fuel tank straps corroded

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Suspension arm bush/dust cover deteriorated but no play in bushes - Both sides (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 8 Mar 2021 77,244 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect no pattern (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated front arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

some corrosion on n/s/r sill

Pass 13 Mar 2020 75,774 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule osf and nsf,advise (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged advise (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement suspension arms upper front and rear and lower arm has some play,advise (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread both front and rear,advise (0.1 (b))

Fail 10 Mar 2020 75,768 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions and inner wall cracked,outer wall perishing (5.2.3 (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule osf and nsf,advise (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged advise (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement suspension arms upper front and rear and lower arm has some play,advise (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread both front and rear,advise (0.1 (b))

Pass 6 Apr 2019 74,009 miles

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

Fail 6 Apr 2019 74,009 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 7 Mar 2018 70,754 miles

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

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

Offside Rear brake pipe deteriorating, advise

Offside Rear slight play in wheel (bearing), advise

Offside Rear tyre cracked on tread and sidewall, advise

Rear Body has slight corrosion both rear sills corroded slightly , advise (6.1.B.2)

Fail 3 Mar 2018 70,729 miles

Emissions not tested emmisions failed (7.3.A.1)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake pipe deteriorating, advise

Offside Rear slight play in wheel (bearing), advise

Offside Rear tyre cracked on tread and sidewall, advise

Rear Body has slight corrosion both rear sills corroded slightly , advise (6.1.B.2)

Pass 6 Mar 2017 67,614 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2016 64,015 miles
Fail 12 Apr 2016 64,015 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Fail 10 Mar 2015 60,499 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamps matched pair are not the same shape (1.7.6)

Pass 10 Mar 2015 60,499 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2014 56,460 miles
Pass 19 Apr 2013 53,321 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2012 51,635 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2011 49,764 miles

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

Pass 17 Apr 2010 47,653 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2009 45,967 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2008 44,420 miles
Fail 23 Apr 2008 44,420 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 24 Apr 2007 42,962 miles
Fail 23 Apr 2007 42,962 miles

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 11 Apr 2006 41,767 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 5 Series?

Based on 944,163 MOT tests across 122,930 vehicles.

80.5%
Pass Rate
8,163
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
122,930
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 25,557
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 14,960
Brake pipe excessively corroded 12,202
parking brake recording little or no effort 7,953
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 7,589
Full BMW 5 Series 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

R218 EBU is a 1998 BMW 5 Series in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.8%.

Across all 1998 BMW 5 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.6% with a typical mileage of 122,000 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 5 Series fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 25,557 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R218 EBU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 5 Series typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 5 Series is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R218 EBU?

You can check the full history of R218 EBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R218 EBU registered?

R218 EBU is a 1998 BMW 5 Series, first registered on 29 April 1998.

Is R218 EBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R218 EBU shows 34 tests with a 61.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R218 EBU 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 R218 EBU. 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.