CarVerify

Free Car Check

R491 ANK

1997 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Oct 2020
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

236,248 mi
Last recorded236,248 miles
Recorded on16 Oct 2019
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR491 ANK
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

14 pass 11 fail
Pass 16 Oct 2019 236,248 miles

Play in both inner steering rack joints

Fail 8 Oct 2019 236,237 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded Rear end of front to rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Corrosion around both n/s and o/s rear seat belt lower mounts sill panels/floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Play in both inner steering rack joints

Pass 12 Oct 2018 231,935 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill panel (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner and out sill panels (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2018 231,929 miles

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) replacement strongly recommended ()

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill panel (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner and out sill panels (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Oct 2017 227,196 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Differential leaking

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear inner sill panels corroding

Fail 5 Oct 2017 227,165 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush Frontmost arm (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush Rearmost arm (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Differential leaking

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Oil leak ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear inner sill panels corroding

Pass 14 Oct 2016 222,353 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear pipes (3.6.B.2c)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Play detected in the steering rack inner joints - nearside worse

Fail 11 Oct 2016 222,346 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush rear bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear pipes (3.6.B.2c)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced Both lenses deteriorating (1.7.5a)

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

Play detected in the steering rack inner joints - nearside worse

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

Pass 13 Oct 2015 217,850 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside steering rack inner joint worn

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded feeding flexi-hose (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage From reservoir (2.3.3b)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Fail 9 Oct 2015 217,810 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 has a major leak of exhaust gases From centre section (7.1.2)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside steering rack inner joint worn

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded feeding flexi-hose (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage From reservoir (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 18 Sep 2014 212,460 miles

play nearside steering rack inner joint

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

Fail 17 Sep 2014 212,452 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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)

play nearside steering rack inner joint

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

Pass 10 Oct 2013 202,126 miles

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2013 201,982 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Engine oil below minimum

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

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

Pass 27 Sep 2012 190,359 miles

Air bag warning light stays on

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

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

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

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

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

Fail 27 Sep 2012 190,356 miles

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

Air bag warning light stays on

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

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

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

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

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

Pass 14 Oct 2011 180,123 miles

Air bag light stays on

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Oct 2011 180,117 miles

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm insecure (2.4.G.1)

Air bag light stays on

Engine oil level low

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Oct 2010 170,063 miles

air bag light stays on

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

Fail 30 Sep 2010 170,059 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

air bag light stays on

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

Pass 28 Sep 2009 159,184 miles

Air bag warning light stays on

Front number plate slightly damaged

Rear number plate deteriorating slightly

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

Pass 10 Oct 2008 150,044 miles

Air bag light stays on

Front number plate slightly damaged

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

Pass 26 Sep 2007 139,804 miles

Front number plate slightly damaged

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

Pass 10 Oct 2006 132,120 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2006 132,120 miles

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

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

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

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

R491 ANK is a 1997 BMW 520 in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

Across all 1997 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.6% with a typical mileage of 121,946 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 R491 ANK, 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 29 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 R491 ANK?

You can check the full history of R491 ANK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R491 ANK registered?

R491 ANK is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 11 August 1997.

Is R491 ANK safe to buy?

The MOT history for R491 ANK shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R491 ANK 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 R491 ANK. 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.