CarVerify

Free Car Check

R688 VLY

1997 BMW 523

Grey Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Nov 2025
Tests25 (19 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate76%

Mileage

63,380 mi
Last recorded63,380 miles
Recorded on8 Oct 2024
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR688 VLY
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1997
ColourGrey
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

19 pass 6 fail
Pass 8 Oct 2024 63,380 miles

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 3 Nov 2023 58,767 miles

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

Fail 30 Oct 2023 58,443 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Registration plate lamp likely to become detached (4.7.1 (c) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

Pass 4 Nov 2022 50,394 miles
Pass 4 Aug 2020 50,146 miles

disabled pedal modifications all sound and secure

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing starting to break up and tread becoming low (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Jul 2019 49,655 miles

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

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

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive [very slight] (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

fuel cap seal starting to perish

rear sub frame mounts slightly perished

Pass 26 Jul 2018 49,265 miles

Central Rear brake light not operating

Nearside Front Outer tyre wall rubber cracking

Nearside Rear child booster seat present on test

Offside Front he man controls present on test

Rear tyres under inflated

Rear wiper blade rubber perished

slight play in steering rack

Pass 27 Jul 2017 48,657 miles

Nearside Front tyre starting to perish

Offside Front tyre starting to perish

non- standard drivers control fitted

undertrays fitted

Pass 28 Jul 2016 48,157 miles

modified drivers position

undertrays fitted

Pass 28 Jul 2015 47,792 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

o/s/f seat belt retracting mechanism slow

Pass 29 Jul 2014 47,235 miles

n/s/f tyre perished

n/s/r tyre perished

o/s/f tyre perished

rear brakes rusty and scored

Fail 30 Jul 2013 46,860 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

knock and play in steering rack

Pass 30 Jul 2013 46,860 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

knock and play in steering rack

Pass 26 Jul 2012 46,446 miles

hand brake stiff

o/s/f tyre starting to perish

slight knock and play in steering

Pass 14 Jul 2011 45,930 miles

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

Slight free play in steering rack

Fail 12 Jul 2011 45,928 miles

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

Exhaust catalyst was slow to ignite

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

Rubbing noise on nearside rear hub

Slight free play in steering rack

Pass 27 Jul 2010 45,076 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

noise from a/c compressor or drive belt area

wipers judder & smear slightly

Fail 27 Jul 2010 45,076 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

noise from a/c compressor or drive belt area

wipers judder & smear slightly

Fail 23 Jul 2009 44,585 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

front & rear brake application is slightly uneven

wipers slightly smear on screeen/dirty

Pass 23 Jul 2009 44,585 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

front & rear brake application is slightly uneven

wipers slightly smear on screeen/dirty

Pass 22 Jul 2008 43,995 miles

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

Pass 26 Jul 2007 42,676 miles

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

Fail 26 Jul 2007 42,676 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2006 41,247 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 29 Jul 2005 40,331 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 VLY is a 1997 BMW 523 in Grey with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76%.

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 R688 VLY, 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 VLY?

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

What year was R688 VLY registered?

R688 VLY is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 18 August 1997.

Is R688 VLY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R688 VLY shows 25 tests with a 76% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R688 VLY 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 VLY. 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.