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R278 PDD

1998 BMW 528

Green Petrol 2793cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Aug 2026
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

172,092 mi
Last recorded172,092 miles
Recorded on31 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 528118,565 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR278 PDD
MakeBMW
Model528
Year1998
ColourGreen
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

16 pass 12 fail
Pass 31 Aug 2025 172,092 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

slight under body corrosion

Fail 28 Sep 2022 172,016 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 5 Oct 2021

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

o/s gearbox mount

o/s/f tyre perishing /

slight play in both rear hub units / engine x under covers fitted / corrosion on o/s/f x both rear coil springs /

Fail 5 Oct 2021

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

o/s gearbox mount

o/s/f tyre perishing /

slight play in both rear hub units / engine x under covers fitted / corrosion on o/s/f x both rear coil springs /

Pass 6 Oct 2020 153,271 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2020 153,271 miles

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

Pass 7 Oct 2019 149,463 miles

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

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

OSR gearbox mount missing

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

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

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

Fail 20 Sep 2019 149,463 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

nsf osf brake pipes starting to rust

osr gear box back mount missing

rear brake pads low

Pass 7 May 2019 148,157 miles

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

Pass 10 May 2018 143,602 miles

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

Fail 10 May 2018 143,601 miles

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Pass 10 May 2017 139,510 miles

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

Fail 10 May 2017 139,510 miles

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

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

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

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

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

Pass 12 May 2016 135,405 miles

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view front (8.1.2a)

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

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

Fail 11 May 2016 135,404 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported rear (7.1.1)

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view front (8.1.2a)

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

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

Pass 16 Dec 2014 128,162 miles

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

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

Fail 15 Dec 2014 128,161 miles

Nearside Front Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced (2.4.F.2)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

Pass 16 Apr 2013 116,808 miles

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

bonnet damaged

service check light on

Fail 16 Apr 2013 116,808 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Non obligatory mirror damaged

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

bonnet damaged

service check light on

Pass 6 Oct 2011 103,780 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2010 100,319 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2009 99,535 miles

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

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

Slight damage to N/S/F outer tyre wall.

Temp petrol cap seal deteriating

Fail 27 Jul 2009 99,535 miles

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

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

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

Slight damage to N/S/F outer tyre wall.

Temp petrol cap seal deteriating

Pass 24 Jul 2008 98,768 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

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

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

Temp filler cap fitted, seal deteriating

Fail 24 Jul 2008 98,768 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nail in offside front tyre

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

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

Temp filler cap fitted, seal deteriating

Pass 19 Jul 2007 98,258 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2007 98,258 miles

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Temporary fuel cap fitted

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jul 2006 97,638 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar 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)

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

R278 PDD is a 1998 BMW 528 in Green with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 R278 PDD, 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 R278 PDD?

You can check the full history of R278 PDD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R278 PDD registered?

R278 PDD is a 1998 BMW 528, first registered on 8 April 1998.

Is R278 PDD safe to buy?

The MOT history for R278 PDD shows 28 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R278 PDD 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 R278 PDD. 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.