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R641 VBL

1998 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Apr 2027
Tests35 (21 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

140,790 mi
Last recorded140,790 miles
Recorded on18 Mar 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR641 VBL
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
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

21 pass 14 fail
Pass 18 Mar 2026 140,790 miles

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

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

power steering pump noisy

Pass 26 Mar 2025 140,173 miles

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

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

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

Fail 25 Mar 2025 140,164 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Apr 2024 139,554 miles

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective BOTH CLOUDY (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Apr 2024 139,554 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective BOTH CLOUDY (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Mar 2023 138,536 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2023 138,532 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2022 137,227 miles
Fail 29 Mar 2022 137,227 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens which changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2021 135,749 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2021 135,744 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 11 Mar 2020 135,156 miles

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

Fail 11 Mar 2020 135,156 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 15 Mar 2019 133,014 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2019 133,014 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Mar 2018 130,481 miles

Front Number plate slightly crack

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 28 Mar 2017 128,413 miles

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

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

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

fuel tank straps corroded

Pass 29 Mar 2016 126,803 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 29 Mar 2016 126,803 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 24 Mar 2015 124,832 miles

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)

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

Fail 24 Mar 2015 124,832 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2014 122,605 miles

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

Fail 25 Mar 2014 122,601 miles

Centre Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Pass 3 Apr 2013 119,707 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Apr 2013 119,696 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Apr 2012 116,916 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 4 Apr 2011 113,360 miles

front registration plate deterioating.

Pass 9 Apr 2010 110,131 miles

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

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

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

Fail 9 Apr 2010 110,131 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2009 108,678 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2009 108,612 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Mar 2008 106,072 miles

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

Pass 23 Mar 2007 102,240 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2007 102,240 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 7 Feb 2006 99,846 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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R641 VBL is a 1998 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1998 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 117,395 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 R641 VBL, 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 28 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 R641 VBL?

You can check the full history of R641 VBL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R641 VBL registered?

R641 VBL is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 26 February 1998.

Is R641 VBL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R641 VBL shows 35 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R641 VBL 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 R641 VBL. 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.