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R390 DOS

1998 BMW 520

Grey Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Aug 2026
Tests40 (21 pass, 19 fail)
Pass rate52.5%

Mileage

160,467 mi
Last recorded160,467 miles
Recorded on27 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 520121,173 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR390 DOS
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1998
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 19 fail
Pass 27 Aug 2025 160,467 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2025 160,439 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced rear sill corroded and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rearmost arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced rear sill corroded and holed (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering leak at pump (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

brake pedal a little soft but brakes work fine on the rollers

Pass 11 Jul 2024 157,092 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Jul 2024 157,092 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2023 156,654 miles

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

blades smearing screen

Fail 11 Jul 2023 156,654 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

blades smearing screen

Pass 14 Jul 2022 156,168 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2022 156,168 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 14 Jul 2021 155,362 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 12 Jul 2021 155,362 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 13 Jul 2020 155,044 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 13 Jul 2020 155,044 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 11 Jul 2019 154,431 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2019 154,431 miles

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

Pass 12 Jul 2018 152,853 miles

Coil spring corroded all 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

fuel pipes corroded

sill covers fitted

Fail 9 Jul 2018 152,843 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Coil spring corroded all 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

fuel pipes corroded

sill covers fitted

Pass 11 Jul 2017 151,785 miles

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

Fail 10 Jul 2017 151,784 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (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)

Fuel pipe union leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

oil leak gear box

Pass 14 Jul 2016 150,616 miles

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

Front Coolant leak radiator ()

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Oil leak ()

Fail 13 Jul 2016 150,616 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (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 Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Front Coolant leak radiator ()

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Oil leak ()

Pass 9 Jul 2015 149,272 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2015 149,272 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Jul 2014 148,224 miles

traction control lamp on

Fail 9 Jul 2014 148,224 miles

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

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

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

traction control lamp on

Pass 11 Jul 2013 146,463 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak at gear box

Fail 10 Jul 2013 146,463 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

rear parking (secondary) brakes imbalanced (3.7.B.6b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Oil leak at gear box

Pass 12 Jul 2012 145,449 miles

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

oil leak at gearbox

Fail 11 Jul 2012 145,449 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Offside Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

oil leak at gearbox

Pass 14 Jul 2011 143,329 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

offside front & rear tyres starting to crack & perish

Fail 13 Jul 2011 143,329 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

offside front & rear tyres starting to crack & perish

Pass 13 Jul 2010 142,117 miles

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

front and rear discs slightly pitted

Pass 15 Jul 2009 140,526 miles

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

both headlamp covers dirty

Fail 14 Jul 2009 140,526 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both headlamp covers dirty

Pass 11 Jul 2008 137,023 miles

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

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

gearbox tail shaft oil seal leak

Fail 10 Jul 2008 137,023 miles

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

gearbox tail shaft oil seal leak

o/s/r inner position light innop

Pass 11 Jul 2007 129,407 miles

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

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

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

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

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

exhaust heat sheild insecure above rear silencer

Pass 16 Jun 2006 121,371 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2006 121,371 miles

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

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

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

rear exhaust silencer heat sheild insecure

Pass 14 Jul 2005 114,520 miles
Fail 13 Jul 2005 114,520 miles

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

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

How Reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 1,661,806 MOT tests across 152,584 vehicles.

78.5%
Pass Rate
7,968
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
152,584
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47,121
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22,647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,724
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15,884
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 14,720
Full BMW 520 reliability report

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R390 DOS is a 1998 BMW 520 in Grey with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 40 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.5%.

Across all 1998 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.2% with a typical mileage of 121,173 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 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R390 DOS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 520 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R390 DOS?

You can check the full history of R390 DOS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R390 DOS registered?

R390 DOS is a 1998 BMW 520, first registered on 20 February 1998.

Is R390 DOS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R390 DOS shows 40 tests with a 52.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R390 DOS 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 R390 DOS. 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.