CarVerify

Free Car Check

RA53 OXW

2003 BMW 520

Black Petrol 2171cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Feb 2027
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

155,288 mi
Last recorded155,288 miles
Recorded on28 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationRA53 OXW
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,171cc

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 5 fail
Pass 28 Feb 2026 155,288 miles

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 24 Feb 2025 146,983 miles

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (0.1 (b))

Pass 10 Nov 2023 135,665 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2022 128,085 miles

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

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 22 Nov 2021 120,109 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 22 Nov 2021 120,107 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 4 Nov 2020 115,902 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2020 115,902 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting likely to fail (5.3.3 (b) (ii))

Pass 19 Nov 2019 113,949 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2019 113,949 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting insecure to the extent that relative movement is visible (5.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Nov 2018 112,945 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 20 Nov 2018 112,932 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure inner sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 15 Nov 2017 111,319 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2016 108,678 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Nov 2015 103,498 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2015 103,498 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 12 Nov 2014 96,984 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 30 Oct 2013 88,702 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 1 Nov 2012 83,013 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2011 77,729 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2010 74,174 miles

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

oil leak from gearbox area

Pass 16 Nov 2009 70,341 miles

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

Pass 30 Oct 2008 62,169 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2007 55,911 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2006 47,701 miles

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

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

RA53 OXW is a 2003 BMW 520 in Black with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

Across all 2003 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.5% with a typical mileage of 84,985 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 RA53 OXW, 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 23 years old, this BMW 520 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of RA53 OXW?

You can check the full history of RA53 OXW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was RA53 OXW registered?

RA53 OXW is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 20 November 2003.

Is RA53 OXW safe to buy?

The MOT history for RA53 OXW shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does RA53 OXW 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 RA53 OXW. 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.