CarVerify

Free Car Check

RY53 ZYD

2003 BMW 520

Green Petrol 2171cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Jan 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

159,331 mi
Last recorded159,331 miles
Recorded on19 Jan 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

RegistrationRY53 ZYD
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourGreen
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 11 fail
Pass 19 Jan 2026 159,331 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2026 159,328 miles

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

Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached both side front inner (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached both side front upper (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side front (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Jan 2025 154,879 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side front (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 17 Jan 2025 154,874 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side front (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 22 Jan 2024 150,653 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Condensation (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Start to perish outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Start to perish outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 22 Jan 2024 150,653 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective Condensation (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Start to perish outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Start to perish outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 20 Jan 2023 145,872 miles

Offside Front 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))

Pass 21 Jan 2022 141,111 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Jan 2021 136,651 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both rear slight corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Slight transmission oil leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Jan 2020 133,698 miles

Headlamp lens slightly defective Both front head lamp lens slightly deteriorated (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front front lower suspension arm bush worn slightly causing slight movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Jan 2020 133,698 miles

Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Inner edge deep cuts cords exposed 225 /55 R16 95 W Pirreli (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective Both front head lamp lens slightly deteriorated (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both front front lower suspension arm bush worn slightly causing slight movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Jan 2019 127,471 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 19 Jan 2019 127,471 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm wearing inner and outer edge 225/55/zr16 95w (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm wearing inner and outer edge 225/55/zr16 95w (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Valve stem seriously damaged both front (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 13 Jan 2018 120,215 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Both rear (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Valve stem slightly damaged Both front (4.1.D.1e)

Pass 18 Jan 2017 114,052 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front front lower (2.4.G.2)

Fail 18 Jan 2017 114,052 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both front front lower (2.4.G.2)

Pass 14 Jan 2016 107,932 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2015 101,271 miles
Pass 7 Jan 2014 92,637 miles
Fail 7 Jan 2014 92,636 miles

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

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 10 Jan 2013 84,843 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 10 Jan 2013 84,843 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)

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)

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

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)

Oil leak

Pass 12 Jan 2012 80,255 miles

front tyres wearing

brake pad warning lamp on

offside rear reflector missing in bumper

play in steering arm joint on offside

Pass 20 Jan 2011 72,282 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2010 63,857 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2010 63,848 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Jan 2009 56,641 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2009 56,584 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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)

Pass 3 Jan 2008 49,821 miles

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

Pass 29 Dec 2006 37,467 miles
Fail 29 Dec 2006 37,467 miles

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

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

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

RY53 ZYD is a 2003 BMW 520 in Green with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 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 RY53 ZYD, 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 RY53 ZYD?

You can check the full history of RY53 ZYD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was RY53 ZYD registered?

RY53 ZYD is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 23 December 2003.

Is RY53 ZYD safe to buy?

The MOT history for RY53 ZYD 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 RY53 ZYD 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 RY53 ZYD. 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.