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R38 ACA

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Mar 2016
Tests15 (9 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

203,429 mi
Last recorded203,429 miles
Recorded on4 Mar 2015
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR38 ACA
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc
View full BMW 523 reliability data

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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

9 pass 6 fail
Pass 4 Mar 2015 203,429 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 3 Mar 2015 203,427 miles

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

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 21 Feb 2015 204,437 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 26 Oct 2013 197,330 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2012 189,886 miles

Nearside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.4)

Pass 27 Oct 2011 179,709 miles

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

Pass 29 Oct 2010 172,621 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2009 168,326 miles

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Fail 23 Oct 2009 168,325 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 1 Nov 2008 162,118 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2008 161,422 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2007 150,213 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2007 149,955 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Oct 2006 141,589 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2006 141,589 miles

Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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R38 ACA is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1997 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 121,619 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 R38 ACA, 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 29 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 R38 ACA?

You can check the full history of R38 ACA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R38 ACA registered?

R38 ACA is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R38 ACA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R38 ACA shows 15 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R38 ACA 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 R38 ACA. 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.