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R914 WBY

1997 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires30 May 2014
Tests17 (7 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate41.2%

Mileage

252,069 mi
Last recorded252,069 miles
Recorded on31 May 2013
Typical for 1997 BMW 523121,619 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR914 WBY
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

7 pass 10 fail
Pass 31 May 2013 252,069 miles

Nearside Rear Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Upper Radius arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 30 May 2013 252,069 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Nearside Rear Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Upper Radius arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 25 May 2013 251,892 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Oil leak

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

Temporary fuel cap fitted

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

o/s rack boot tapped

rear driveshaft boot tapped

Fail 2 May 2013 251,892 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.4.G.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing (8.2.2)

Offside Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

Temporary fuel cap fitted

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

tyres perished

Fail 21 Sep 2012 249,313 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means (7.2.4b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1c)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Trailing arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1) DANGEROUS

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

airbag light on

Pass 7 Sep 2011 237,485 miles

air bag light on

Fail 7 Sep 2011 237,485 miles

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

air bag light on

Pass 10 Jun 2010 221,023 miles

Nearside Inner Rear Upper Trailing 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)

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

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

airbag light on

Fail 4 Jun 2010 220,873 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Upper Trailing arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

airbag light on

Pass 28 May 2009 211,602 miles

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

air bag light on

Fail 9 May 2009 211,579 miles

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

Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

airbag light on

Pass 30 Apr 2008 203,315 miles

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

Oil leak

Temporary fuel cap fitted

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

brake pad warning light on

Fail 24 Apr 2008 203,163 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Nearside Outer Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Oil leak

Temporary fuel cap fitted

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

brake pad warning light on

Pass 30 Apr 2007 190,608 miles
Fail 28 Apr 2007 190,382 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b) DANGEROUS

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

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 2 Nov 2005 164,426 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2005 164,426 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

R914 WBY is a 1997 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 41.2%.

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 R914 WBY, 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 R914 WBY?

You can check the full history of R914 WBY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R914 WBY registered?

R914 WBY is a 1997 BMW 523, first registered on 10 December 1997.

Is R914 WBY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R914 WBY shows 17 tests with a 41.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R914 WBY 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 R914 WBY. 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.