CarVerify

Free Car Check

R278 YYC

1998 BMW 535

Blue Petrol 3498cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Oct 2026
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

Typical for 1998 BMW 535110,452 mi
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

RegistrationR278 YYC
MakeBMW
Model535
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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 5 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2025

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

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

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

Fail 11 Sep 2025

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Oct 2024 152,035 miles

FRONT NUMBER PLATE MARKED

REAR DIFF DAMP WITH OIL

Pass 14 Sep 2023

BOTH REAR OUTER SILLS CORRODED

FRONT NUBMER PLATE MARKED

N/S/F TYRE WORN OUTER EDGE

Pass 26 Sep 2022

FRONT NUMBER PLATE MARKED

N/S/R OUTER SILL CORRODED

O/S/F TYRE WORN OUTER EDGE

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

Pass 16 Sep 2021
Fail 16 Sep 2021

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

Pass 7 Sep 2020

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

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

Pass 29 Aug 2019

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

front tyres worn on edges

Pass 24 Aug 2018 148,955 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2017

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

Fail 31 Aug 2017

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Pass 30 Aug 2016 143,113 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 1 Sep 2015 140,124 miles

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 23 Jul 2014 136,547 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

oil leak from rear axle/diff

Fail 23 Jul 2014 136,543 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

oil leak from rear axle/diff

Pass 23 Jul 2013 133,471 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 23 Jul 2012 130,467 miles

diff oil leak

o/s/f tyre worn on edges 235/45r17

Fail 18 Jul 2012 130,350 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

diff oil leak

o/s/f tyre worn on edges 235/45r17

Pass 23 Jul 2011 128,650 miles

both rear tyres worn on inner edges

o /s/f tyre worn on edges ans has slight sidewall damage on inner

Pass 26 Jul 2010 78,223 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2009 76,482 miles

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

Pass 23 Jul 2008 74,319 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2007 115,182 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2006 109,990 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2005 99,022 miles

both front tyres wearing on edges

front wiper blades smearing screen slightly

How Reliable is the BMW 535?

Based on 216,162 MOT tests across 18,035 vehicles.

78.7%
Pass Rate
7,094
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
18,035
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,346
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,237
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,669
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,608
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,438
Full BMW 535 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 YYC is a 1998 BMW 535 in Blue with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

Across all 1998 BMW 535 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.6% with a typical mileage of 110,452 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 535 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,346 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R278 YYC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 535 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 535 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R278 YYC?

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

What year was R278 YYC registered?

R278 YYC is a 1998 BMW 535, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R278 YYC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R278 YYC shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R278 YYC 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 YYC. 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.