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R878 UHL

1997 BMW 535

Silver Petrol 3498cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Apr 2027
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

102,624 mi
Last recorded102,624 miles
Recorded on21 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 535117,977 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR878 UHL
MakeBMW
Model535
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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

15 pass 9 fail
Pass 21 Apr 2026 102,624 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2026 102,523 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 7 Dec 2024 98,566 miles

over plated

Pass 10 Dec 2021 98,329 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2020 98,276 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Pass 3 May 2019 84,384 miles

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 11 Jun 2016 76,179 miles
Fail 5 May 2016 75,013 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 8 May 2015 74,631 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 8 May 2015 74,631 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 8 May 2014 64,366 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)

offside rear inner arch lining close to tyre

Fail 3 May 2014 64,366 miles

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

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)

offside rear inner arch lining close to tyre

Pass 13 Jul 2012 61,202 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2012 61,200 miles

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

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)

Fail 30 Apr 2012 61,177 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

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

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 27 Apr 2011 58,788 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2011 58,788 miles

Front registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)

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

Rear registration plate character(s) not correctly formed (6.3.4b)

various brake pipes corroded but not excessive at this stage

Pass 26 Apr 2010 56,328 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2010 56,280 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 17 Apr 2009 53,219 miles

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

Pass 27 Oct 2008 50,496 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2007 46,242 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2006 39,903 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2005 33,414 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 535?

Based on 216,162 MOT tests across 18,035 vehicles.

78.7%
Pass Rate
7,094
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
18,035
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,346
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 4,237
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,669
Brake pipe excessively corroded 2,608
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,438
Full BMW 535 reliability report

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R878 UHL is a 1997 BMW 535 in Silver with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

Across all 1997 BMW 535 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.4% with a typical mileage of 117,977 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 535 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,346 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R878 UHL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 535 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 535 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R878 UHL?

You can check the full history of R878 UHL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R878 UHL registered?

R878 UHL is a 1997 BMW 535, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R878 UHL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R878 UHL shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R878 UHL 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 R878 UHL. 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.