CarVerify

Free Car Check

R21 GGE

1999 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 1396cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Dec 2026
Tests52 (35 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate67.3%

Mileage

131,399 mi
Last recorded131,399 miles
Recorded on30 Dec 2025
Typical for 1999 BMW 523117,158 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

RegistrationR21 GGE
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1999
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,396cc

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

35 pass 17 fail
Pass 30 Dec 2025 131,399 miles
Pass 30 May 2025 177,195 miles

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

Pass 16 Dec 2024 122,668 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 30 May 2024 166,166 miles

Fuel tank straps corroding

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))

Pass 16 Dec 2023 114,089 miles

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Jul 2023 166,133 miles

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

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 17 Dec 2022 104,219 miles

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

Pass 20 Dec 2021 96,805 miles

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

Pass 7 Jul 2021 166,112 miles

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

Fail 7 Jul 2021 166,112 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Dec 2020 88,555 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases rear silencer (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 30 Jul 2020 166,092 miles

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

Fail 30 Jul 2020 166,092 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Aug 2019 166,052 miles

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Aug 2019 166,052 miles

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

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Jul 2019 75,944 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin front brake pads getting low (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn to 2mm tread (1.6mm legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded slightly corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 20 Jun 2019 75,847 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 175/65 14 (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Front brake pads low

Front tyres perished and depths low

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

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

Pass 19 Jul 2018 165,911 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 28 Jun 2018 67,806 miles

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

Fail 22 Jun 2018 67,799 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Sound deadening material insecure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Pass 18 May 2017 65,325 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2017 165,231 miles

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

Fail 3 Apr 2017 165,231 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Pass 21 Mar 2016 64,490 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2016 64,490 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Nov 2015 164,312 miles

All four tyres perished but no cords showing

Engine oil leak

Front prop coupling in poor condition

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Fail 2 Nov 2015 164,312 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

All four tyres perished but no cords showing

Engine oil leak

Front prop coupling in poor condition

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2015 62,937 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Nov 2014 163,138 miles

N/s/f tyre perished but no cords showing

N/s/r tyre perished but cords not showing

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

O/s/f tyre perished but no cords showing

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Oil leak

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

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

Fail 21 Nov 2014 163,138 miles

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

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

N/s/f tyre perished but no cords showing

N/s/r tyre perished but cords not showing

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

O/s/f tyre perished but no cords showing

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly damaged (2.2.D.2b)

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Oil leak

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

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

Pass 20 Mar 2014 61,492 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2013 160,551 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Oil leaks

Fail 26 Sep 2013 160,551 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)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Oil leaks

Pass 20 Mar 2013 60,568 miles

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 26 Sep 2012 158,960 miles

Both front wiper blades not very effective

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Oil leak

Fail 26 Sep 2012 158,960 miles

Both front wiper blades not very effective

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Oil leak

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 21 Mar 2012 59,237 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2011 155,379 miles

Engine oil leak

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside front antiroll bar link arm boot split

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside front tyre tread pattern perished

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

Pass 8 Aug 2011 155,379 miles

Engine oil leak

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

Nearside front antiroll bar link arm boot split

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

Offside front tyre tread pattern perished

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

Pass 22 Mar 2011 57,657 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Jul 2010 149,069 miles

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Fail 14 Jul 2010 149,067 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 22 Mar 2010 56,692 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2009 137,889 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)

Pass 18 Mar 2009 55,719 miles
Fail 18 Mar 2009 55,719 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fail 14 Mar 2009 137,799 miles

Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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)

Pass 29 Feb 2008 52,683 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2007 126,210 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2007 126,210 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2007 48,066 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 2 Feb 2006 45,156 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

R21 GGE is a 1999 BMW 523 in Blue with a 1,396cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 52 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.3%.

Across all 1999 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.7% with a typical mileage of 117,158 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 R21 GGE, 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 27 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 R21 GGE?

You can check the full history of R21 GGE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R21 GGE registered?

R21 GGE is a 1999 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is R21 GGE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R21 GGE shows 52 tests with a 67.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R21 GGE 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 R21 GGE. 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.