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R688 KAW

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Sep 2024
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

188,955 mi
Last recorded188,955 miles
Recorded on22 Sep 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR688 KAW
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 22 Sep 2023 188,955 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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 Water in the lens (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))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 11 Sep 2023 188,951 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Petrol tank strap insecure

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

Pass 21 Sep 2022 184,432 miles

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 14 Sep 2022 184,398 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2021 181,354 miles

Nearside Rear 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 30 Oct 2021 181,344 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2020 177,560 miles

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All Four (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 12 Sep 2019 175,386 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

both sills have plastic covers

Fail 4 Sep 2019 175,358 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

both sills have plastic covers

Pass 5 Sep 2018 172,210 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play rear ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 4 Sep 2018 172,210 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play rear ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 4 Sep 2018 172,210 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play rear ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 4 Sep 2018 172,210 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play rear ball joint. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 25 Aug 2017 169,272 miles

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

all 4 tyres are showing signs of age

Fail 25 Aug 2017 169,272 miles

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

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

all 4 tyres are showing signs of age

Pass 31 Aug 2016 166,018 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2015 162,013 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 21 Aug 2014 156,785 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Aug 2013 150,145 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2013 150,145 miles

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

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 2 May 2012 144,113 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 28 Apr 2011 138,659 miles

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

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

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 28 Apr 2011 138,659 miles

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

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

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

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 30 Apr 2010 132,659 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition but not affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition but not affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

handbrake lever high

Pass 13 May 2009 126,931 miles
Fail 2 May 2009 126,883 miles

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2007 115,784 miles

as preav test

Fail 7 Aug 2007 115,784 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2006 107,360 miles

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

Pass 21 Jul 2005 98,823 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

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

R688 KAW is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 R688 KAW, 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 R688 KAW?

You can check the full history of R688 KAW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R688 KAW registered?

R688 KAW is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R688 KAW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R688 KAW shows 30 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 R688 KAW 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 R688 KAW. 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.