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R991 CFL

1998 BMW 520

Blue Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Apr 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

165,778 mi
Last recorded165,778 miles
Recorded on20 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 520121,173 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

RegistrationR991 CFL
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 20 Apr 2026 165,778 miles

CORROSHION STARTING ON O/S/R LOWER INNER SILL AND SOME PARTS OF FLOORING

FUEL TANK STRAP IS STARTING TO CORRODE

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 16 Apr 2025 164,255 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2024 162,421 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 17 Apr 2024 162,418 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting INNER SILL (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting OUTER SILL (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 21 Apr 2023 160,645 miles

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

Fail 16 Mar 2023 160,493 miles

Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak both sides (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 11 Mar 2022 158,422 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Pass 18 Mar 2021 156,429 miles

Both front brake hoses are perishing and cracking

Offside rear coil spring is corroded

Offside rear control arm outer ball joint has slight play and the dust cover is in poor condition

Offside rear shock absorber is starting to leak

Pass 16 Mar 2020 155,077 miles

Offside Front TYRE IS DOWN TO 2MM ON INNER AND OUTER PART OF TYRE

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 13 Mar 2019 152,773 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded mainline

nail in n/s/r tyre / slight damage on o/s/f tyre x perishing

sill x engine x under covers fitted / chips on screen / n/s/f fog inop / damage to front fog lights / slight engine smoke

slight corrosion on both front x o/s/r springs / slight play in o/s/r hub / slight mist on rear shocks

Pass 16 Mar 2018 150,909 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

SLIGHT DAMAGE TO O/S/F TYRE WALL

SLIGHT SMOKE ON EMISSON TEST

SURFACE RUST STARTING ON ALL STEAL FUEL PIPES

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

Fail 16 Mar 2018 150,907 miles

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)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

SLIGHT DAMAGE TO O/S/F TYRE WALL

SLIGHT SMOKE ON EMISSON TEST

SURFACE RUST STARTING ON ALL STEAL FUEL PIPES

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

Pass 2 Mar 2017 148,935 miles

Fuel pipe slightly damaged (7.2.2)

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

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

Fail 27 Feb 2017 148,933 miles

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

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

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel pipe slightly damaged (7.2.2)

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2016 146,006 miles

SLIGHT WEEP ON O/S/R SHOCK / SLIGHT CORROSION ON REAR SPRINGS /

VERY SLIGHT PLAY IN O/S/R HUB / UNDER COVERS FITTED / FUEL PIPES CORRODING

CHIP ON SCREEN / LIGHT ON DASH /FRONT GETTING LOW

Fail 14 Mar 2016 146,006 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Driver's airbag obviously defective (5.4.1)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

SLIGHT WEEP ON O/S/R SHOCK / SLIGHT CORROSION ON REAR SPRINGS /

VERY SLIGHT PLAY IN O/S/R HUB / UNDER COVERS FITTED / FUEL PIPES CORRODING

CHIP ON SCREEN / LIGHT ON DASH /FRONT GETTING LOW

Fail 11 Mar 2016 145,973 miles

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

fuel lines corroded

Pass 9 Mar 2015 142,233 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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)

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

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

both rear tyres and nearside front tyre badly cracked

Fail 9 Mar 2015 142,233 miles

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

Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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)

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

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

both rear tyres and nearside front tyre badly cracked

Pass 14 Mar 2014 138,581 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Fail 11 Mar 2014 138,580 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Pass 6 Feb 2013 134,494 miles

Metal Fuel Pipes corroding

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Airbag light on

Fail 5 Feb 2013 134,393 miles

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

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

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

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

Metal Fuel Pipes corroding

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Airbag light on

Pass 11 Feb 2012 132,049 miles

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

Fail 9 Feb 2012 132,049 miles

Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2011 129,353 miles
Fail 22 Dec 2010 129,076 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Dec 2009 125,640 miles

Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Pass 19 Nov 2008 123,338 miles

offside front antiroll bar drop link ball joint dust cover insecure

Pass 22 Nov 2007 117,193 miles

Nearside Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Pass 27 Nov 2006 109,760 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

front tyres wearing low on centre tread

o/s/r handbrake performance low

yellow brake warning light on dash

How Reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 1,661,806 MOT tests across 152,584 vehicles.

78.5%
Pass Rate
7,968
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
152,584
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47,121
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22,647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,724
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15,884
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 14,720
Full BMW 520 reliability report

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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

R991 CFL is a 1998 BMW 520 in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1998 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.2% with a typical mileage of 121,173 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 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R991 CFL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 520 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R991 CFL?

You can check the full history of R991 CFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R991 CFL registered?

R991 CFL is a 1998 BMW 520, first registered on 24 January 1998.

Is R991 CFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R991 CFL shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R991 CFL 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 R991 CFL. 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.