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R453 ABH

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Jul 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

188,950 mi
Last recorded188,950 miles
Recorded on2 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR453 ABH
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 2 Jul 2026 188,950 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Jul 2026 188,949 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2025 188,943 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 14 Apr 2025 188,943 miles

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Apr 2025 188,943 miles

Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Apr 2024 188,899 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. System may require repair or adjustment.

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working High level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Fail 8 Mar 2024 188,899 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. System may require repair or adjustment

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working high level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Mar 2023 188,693 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 12 Mar 2022 188,406 miles

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))

Rear Inner Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Mar 2021 187,837 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake efficiency only jut met. System may require e adjustment or repair.

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 21 Mar 2020 187,454 miles

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Fail 7 Mar 2020 187,450 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting jacking point (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Pass 12 Mar 2019 186,869 miles

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

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 9 Mar 2019 186,869 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Mar 2018 186,344 miles

Coolant leak

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Fail 21 Mar 2018 186,343 miles

Central Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Coolant leak

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 14 Mar 2017 185,941 miles

end of steering rack gaiter split on nearside front

nearside front tyre tread starting to crack

rear discs corroded

Fail 14 Mar 2017 185,941 miles

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

end of steering rack gaiter split on nearside front

nearside front tyre tread starting to crack

rear discs corroded

Pass 31 Mar 2016 185,672 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2016 185,670 miles

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings inner sill corroded and holed (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has slight corrosion staring to become crusty under (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear slightly low out put not locking

Pass 12 Mar 2015 185,234 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2015 185,234 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 29 Mar 2014 184,135 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Mar 2014 184,135 miles

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 4 Aug 2012 184,028 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2012 184,021 miles

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

dmage to windscreen

Pass 30 Jul 2011 182,708 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Pass 13 Sep 2010 178,275 miles

n/s front brake bake plate mountings weak

rear registration plates deteriorating

Fail 13 Sep 2010 178,275 miles

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

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

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

n/s front brake bake plate mountings weak

rear registration plates deteriorating

Pass 14 Jul 2009 168,218 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2008 156,343 miles

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

Pass 5 Jun 2007 152,402 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2006 148,338 miles

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

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

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

R453 ABH is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 R453 ABH, 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 R453 ABH?

You can check the full history of R453 ABH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R453 ABH registered?

R453 ABH is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R453 ABH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R453 ABH shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R453 ABH 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 R453 ABH. 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.