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R38 FWS

1998 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires20 Sep 2019
Tests22 (13 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate59.1%

Mileage

124,095 mi
Last recorded124,095 miles
Recorded on21 Sep 2018
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR38 FWS
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

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

13 pass 9 fail
Pass 21 Sep 2018 124,095 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Fail 10 Sep 2018 124,093 miles

Front Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 225/60/15 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 225/60/15 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 2 Jan 2018 120,076 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Fail 2 Jan 2018 120,075 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 4 Jan 2017 115,484 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill area (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak ()

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

n/s outer sill covered with plastic trim, unable to fully inspect corrosion

Fail 29 Dec 2016 115,482 miles

Central Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill and inner wheel arch (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill area (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak ()

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

n/s outer sill covered with plastic trim, unable to fully inspect corrosion

Pass 14 Jan 2016 113,172 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 13 Jan 2016 113,171 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Outer edge within measured area (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Inner edge within measured area. (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 2 Jan 2015 109,892 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

both front wipers split but still clear

slight corrosion to petrol tank strap

Fail 30 Dec 2014 109,885 miles

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

both front wipers split but still clear

slight corrosion to petrol tank strap

Pass 31 Dec 2013 105,432 miles
Fail 30 Dec 2013 105,427 miles

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

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

Pass 9 Jan 2013 96,241 miles
Fail 8 Jan 2013 96,241 miles

Nearside Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 11 Jan 2012 90,006 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

airbag light on

Pass 11 Jan 2012 90,006 miles

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

airbag light on

Pass 10 Jan 2011 81,873 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 9 Jan 2010 76,530 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2009 71,456 miles

bad brake noise

Pass 18 Dec 2007 66,597 miles
Fail 18 Dec 2007 66,589 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 30 Dec 2006 62,902 miles

Both front tyres wearing on edges.

o/s rear handbrake effort lower than n/s and not locking.

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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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.

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R38 FWS is a 1998 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.1%.

Across all 1998 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 117,395 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 FWS, 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 28 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 FWS?

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

What year was R38 FWS registered?

R38 FWS is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 2 January 1998.

Is R38 FWS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R38 FWS shows 22 tests with a 59.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R38 FWS 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 FWS. 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.