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R637 BEC

1997 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Feb 2023
Tests29 (17 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate58.6%

Mileage

231,070 mi
Last recorded231,070 miles
Recorded on28 Feb 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR637 BEC
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

17 pass 12 fail
Fail 28 Feb 2023 231,070 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))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired floor section (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal various welding repairs (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Feb 2022 227,981 miles

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

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal inner sill at sill end (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Feb 2022 227,971 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

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

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced arch area, end of sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Feb 2022 227,962 miles

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 23 Nov 2021 227,942 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced SILL (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced SILL (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension rod pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced SILL (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Fail 4 Nov 2021 227,929 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn L-Shape (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension bellows damaged but not to excess (5.3.5 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Nov 2020 224,760 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2020 224,760 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced lower sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 4 Nov 2019 220,982 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 4 Nov 2019 220,982 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Pass 9 Nov 2018 216,081 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 1 Nov 2018 216,067 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases cat to centre section (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect no damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect no damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear tyre worn badly on inner edge plus out of round

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

Pass 25 Oct 2017 209,450 miles

both front tyres worn on inner edge

Pass 26 Oct 2016 205,109 miles

Both front tyres wearing on inner edges

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin Almost at failable limit (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit On limit & seriously worn on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit And worn badly on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak From engine ? ()

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

Fail 26 Oct 2016 205,108 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Offside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Oil leak From engine ? ()

Both front tyres wearing on inner edges

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin Almost at failable limit (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit On limit & seriously worn on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit And worn badly on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 22 Oct 2015 194,682 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both d bushes have small amount of movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front arms inner bush has movement but not excessive (2.4.G.2)

Fail 15 Oct 2015 194,551 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded main front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect no image (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded main front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded flexi to abs unit (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect no image (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both d bushes have small amount of movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front arms inner bush has movement but not excessive (2.4.G.2)

Pass 31 Oct 2014 185,658 miles

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

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

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

Fail 30 Oct 2014 185,658 miles

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Pass 7 Oct 2013 176,173 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2012 166,407 miles

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

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

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

front to rear fuel pipe corroded

Pass 21 Oct 2011 159,914 miles

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 26 Oct 2010 152,711 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2009 146,110 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2008 138,649 miles

LOW TONE HORN INOP.

Pass 25 Oct 2007 128,986 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2006 119,649 miles
Fail 25 Oct 2006 119,648 miles

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

Pass 31 Oct 2005 108,475 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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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

R637 BEC is a 1997 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.6%.

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 R637 BEC, 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 R637 BEC?

You can check the full history of R637 BEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R637 BEC registered?

R637 BEC is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 24 October 1997.

Is R637 BEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R637 BEC shows 29 tests with a 58.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R637 BEC 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 R637 BEC. 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.