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R496 MSN

1997 BMW 520

Red Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Jul 2016
Tests17 (8 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate47.1%

Mileage

125,404 mi
Last recorded125,404 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2015
Typical for 1997 BMW 520121,946 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR496 MSN
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1997
ColourRed
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

8 pass 9 fail
Pass 10 Jun 2015 125,404 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 9 Jun 2015 12,500 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 3 Jul 2014 121,424 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2013 118,612 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

both front brake pipes coated in grease.

nearside front tyre cracking and in poor condition.

offside and nearside rear tyres wearing slightly unevenly on inner edges of tread.

oil leak from rear diff.

Fail 3 Jun 2013 118,612 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

both front brake pipes coated in grease.

nearside front tyre cracking and in poor condition.

offside and nearside rear tyres wearing slightly unevenly on inner edges of tread.

oil leak from rear diff.

Fail 16 May 2013 118,600 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

both front brake pipes covered in grease.

nearside front tyre cracking and in poor condition.

offside and nearside rear tyres wearing slightly unevenly on inner edges of tread.

oil leak from rear diff.

Fail 17 Apr 2013 118,471 miles

Nearside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Offside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Pass 25 Apr 2012 114,904 miles

under shield covers fitted

Fail 24 Apr 2012 114,903 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.D.2c)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

under shield covers fitted

Pass 4 May 2011 111,861 miles

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

Front brake pipes heavily greased.

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 2 May 2011 111,849 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

Front brake pipes heavily greased.

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 6 May 2010 105,782 miles

OSF tyre starting to split

Oil leak

Rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Fail 4 May 2010 105,782 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 Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

OSF tyre starting to split

Oil leak

Rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Pass 30 Oct 2007 101,325 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Oct 2007 101,325 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2006 92,332 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2006 92,332 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function (2.7.2a)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

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

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

both front brake disc back plates loose.

both main front to rear brake pipes rusty.

damage to front bumper at offside.

nail in offside front tyre.

offside door mirror loose.

offside rear tyre near limit.(2mm)

rear exhaust heat-shield insecure & fouling silencer.

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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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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R496 MSN is a 1997 BMW 520 in Red with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 47.1%.

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 R496 MSN, 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 R496 MSN?

You can check the full history of R496 MSN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R496 MSN registered?

R496 MSN is a 1997 BMW 520, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R496 MSN safe to buy?

The MOT history for R496 MSN shows 17 tests with a 47.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R496 MSN 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 R496 MSN. 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.