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R542 BFC

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires29 Mar 2024
Tests22 (17 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate77.3%

Mileage

132,410 mi
Last recorded132,410 miles
Recorded on30 Mar 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR542 BFC
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc
View full BMW 523 reliability data Browse other 1997 BMW 523 registrations

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

17 pass 5 fail
Pass 30 Mar 2023 132,410 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge also perished (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge also perished (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 30 Mar 2023 132,408 miles

Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge also perished (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge also perished (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 24 Sep 2021 131,205 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Both lower ball joints (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front fog light lens damaged

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 24 Sep 2021 131,205 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Both lower ball joints (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front fog light lens damaged

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Pass 25 Sep 2020 128,547 miles

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

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

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

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

Front no plate deteriated

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Rear no plate deteriated

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 25 Sep 2020 128,547 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Front no plate deteriated

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Rear no plate deteriated

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 30 Sep 2019 126,548 miles

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

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

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

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

Pass 17 Sep 2018 121,858 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 15 Sep 2017 116,656 miles

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

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

Front headlamps deteriated

Front oil leak

Nearside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Nearside Front tyre wall deteriated

Nearside Rear Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Rear cut but not to coards

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

Offside Rear Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Fail 14 Sep 2017 116,656 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Front headlamps deteriated

Front oil leak

Nearside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Nearside Front tyre wall deteriated

Nearside Rear Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Rear cut but not to coards

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

Offside Rear Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Pass 20 Sep 2016 112,082 miles

Nearside Rear nail in tyre

Offside Rear sill corroded

Rear brake pipes corroded

Rear fuel pipe corroded

Rear number plate deteriorated

small chip on windscreen

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Sep 2016 112,082 miles

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear nail in tyre

Offside Rear sill corroded

Rear brake pipes corroded

Rear fuel pipe corroded

Rear number plate deteriorated

small chip on windscreen

Pass 15 Sep 2015 107,621 miles

Nearside Front rack inner joint has slight play

Pass 22 Sep 2014 103,617 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2013 98,923 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2012 93,272 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2011 88,676 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2010 83,669 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2009 78,305 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2008 72,540 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2007 65,789 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2006 60,749 miles

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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R542 BFC is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.3%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R542 BFC, 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 R542 BFC?

You can check the full history of R542 BFC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R542 BFC registered?

R542 BFC is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 2 October 1997.

Is R542 BFC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R542 BFC shows 22 tests with a 77.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R542 BFC 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 R542 BFC. 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.